November 11, 2014

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If you are holding off on getting a flu shot because you got one last year and think it’s still protecting you, think again.

The flu vaccine is seasonal and is designed to protect against the main flu viruses that research suggests will cause the most illness during the upcoming flu season. Physician-in-Chief Dr. Mark W. Kline elaborates on why it’s important to get vaccinated against the flu each and every year.

“The flu is a virus that changes every year and the vaccine has to change with the virus,” Kline said. “We achieved a great protection rate last year, better than 90 percent here at Texas Children’s Hospital, but that doesn’t protect us this year. So, we are asking everyone to get a flu vaccine to protect themselves to protect their families and to protect their patients.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a lot of research goes into the composition of the seasonal flu vaccine. More than 100 national influenza centers in more than 100 countries conduct year-round surveillance for influenza. This involves receiving and testing thousands of influenza virus samples from patients with suspected flu illness. The laboratories send representative viruses to five World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centers for Reference and Research on Influenza.

In February of each year, WHO consults with experts from WHO Collaborating Centers, Essential Regulatory Laboratories, and other partners to review data generated by the worldwide network of influenza laboratories. Afterward, WHO makes recommendations for the composition of the seasonal influenza vaccine for the Northern Hemisphere.

The U.S. Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, which is a part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, considers the WHO recommendations and makes a final decision regarding the composition of seasonal flu vaccine for the United States.

Employee Health is administering free seasonal influenza vaccinations to all Texas Children’s employees, Baylor College of Medicine employees working in Texas Children’s facilities, Texas Children’s medical staff and volunteers. Leaders from Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Health Centers and The Center for Women and Children will inform their staff about seasonal flu vaccination details.

Click here to view vaccination schedules for both Main and West Campuses. Employee Health strongly encourages you to get your vaccine at one of the times listed on the schedule. If you are unable to do so, please schedule an appointment to get the flu vaccine at the Employee Health Clinic.

And, remember, getting an annual flu shot is part of Texas Children’s P3 incentive plan, which is an important component of the total rewards you receive at Texas Children’s Hospital. As part of P3, we are amplifying unity and working together to get at least 90 percent of our staff vaccinated by Monday, December 1.

November 4, 2014

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Dr. Paul Checchia, medical director of the pediatric cardiovascular intensive care unit, has extensive experience with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in various clinical, research and academic settings. In response to the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the handful of cases that have been treated here in the United States, Checchia wrote the following story in an effort to refocus people’s attention to RSV and influenza – two viruses he says are much bigger threats in the United States than Ebola.

11414pchecchia150During the past couple of months we all have seen our fair share of news coverage on Ebola. From turning on your television to walking into a pediatrician’s office and being asked questions about recent travel, the topic is everywhere. It’s not uncommon that with the surplus of information out there, it can begin to cause some anxiety.

While the likelihood of an Ebola outbreak is extremely low, it is still important to stay informed. And at Texas Children’s Hospital we want the community to know that we are fully prepared if an Ebola case were to appear in Houston.

But one thing I can’t help but ask myself is: With so many people worried about the spread of Ebola, why aren’t they also taking every precaution necessary to protect themselves against other diseases? For instance, why are individuals not having the same reaction to the flu as they are with Ebola?

The flu is a preventable disease that affects hundreds of thousands of individuals every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of more than 200,000 people in the United States are hospitalized each year from the flu, with up to 49,000 dying from it. Yet many people are still refusing to get vaccinated. In fact, less than half of the U.S. population receives the flu vaccine each year. The CDC also reports that only 45 percent of children ages 6 months to 17 years got the influenza vaccination during the past 12 months. Only 26 percent of adults 18-49 years of age received theirs.

And what about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)? While there isn’t a vaccine for RSV, there are many ways in which parents and Texas Children’s employees can actively protect infants and children from contracting this respiratory virus, including, washing your hands and making sure anyone in contact with your infant does the same. It’s also important to keep infants and children away from others who are sick, especially with cold or flu-like symptoms (which is why a flu shot is important for all family members and health care workers). While RSV is not as deadly as the flu, it can spread very rapidly among children. So what’s most important to remember about RSV is that is can be prevented.

As many communities are taking precautions to protect themselves and their families from Ebola, let’s not forget about these other diseases that are affecting so many of us every year. The flu and RSV have regularly impacted our community in more devastating ways than Ebola has. It is important that we not ignore these much greater health threats in the U.S.

So please get vaccinated: Everyone 6 months or older is recommended for flu vaccination. It’s the best way to protect yourself and others.

Employee Health is administering free seasonal influenza vaccinations to all Texas Children’s employees, Baylor College of Medicine employees working in Texas Children’s facilities, Texas Children’s medical staff and volunteers. Leaders from Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Health Centers and The Center for Women and Children will inform their staff about seasonal flu vaccination details.

Click here to view vaccination schedules for both Main and West Campuses. Employee Health strongly encourages you to get your vaccine at one of the times listed on the schedule. If you are unable to do so, please schedule an appointment to get the flu vaccine at the Employee Health Clinic.

Remember, getting an annual flu shot is part of Texas Children’s P3 incentive plan, which is an important component of the total rewards you receive at Texas Children’s Hospital. As part of P3, we are striving for at least 90 percent of our staff to get vaccinated by Monday, December 1.

October 30, 2014

Dear Colleagues,

For the past few months, many of us here at Texas Children’s have been focused on keeping each other and our patients and families safe in the event of a potential Ebola case at our hospital.

While I am proud of our efforts to ensure we will provide the best care to such patients while keeping our staff safe and healthy, I am concerned we have forgotten about an infection that is much more likely to affect us than Ebola. That infection is the flu.

More than 200,000 people suffering from the flu are admitted to a hospital each year. And more than 20,000 of them die. They die from a virus that a simple vaccination can most times prevent – a shot that takes mere seconds to receive.

Ebola has infected some 7,000 people and killed more than 3,300. Most of those infected with the virus are in West Africa. One person in the United States has died from Ebola, and he contracted the infection in Liberia. Two of the people who cared for that patient and became infected with the virus have been treated and released.

There is no vaccine for Ebola. That is why we have been working so hard to obtain the best personal protective equipment for our staff. There is, however, a vaccine for the flu, and everyone here at Texas Children’s should get one. Getting a flu vaccine is one of the simplest and most basic things we can do to keep ourselves and our patients healthy during flu season. It also is part of Texas Children’s incentive plans.

I implore you to take this responsibility to heart. Get your flu shot. Make sure everyone in your family is vaccinated, and educate those around you about getting vaccinated. It’s truly the best personal protective equipment you can wear during flu season.

Remember influenza vaccinations are free and available in Employee Health at our Main and West Campuses and will be available at the Benefits and Wellness Fair today on the Auxiliary Bridge.  If you receive your vaccination elsewhere, your Texas Children’s insurance will cover the cost.  Please remember to provide documentation to Employee Health & Wellness.

Information about where to get your flu shot is below.

Regards,

Mark A. Wallace

Get vaccinated!

  • Flu vaccines are available in Employee Health
  • Appointments are recommended, however walk-ins are welcome
  • Department or unit leaders may request a flu cart visit by calling Employee Health at 832-824-2151 or West Campus Employee Health at 832-227-1365
  • If you received your flu vaccine elsewhere, please fax your documentation to 832-824-2141or send via interoffice mail to Employee Health A5527

Main Campus Employee Health 

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location: Employee Health & Wellness Center
5 Tower by the yellow elevators

Phone: 832-824-2150

Fax: 832-825-2141

Emergency: An Employee Health nurse is available after hours by pager 24 hours a day for emergencies. Call the page operator at 832-824-1000 to have an Employee Health nurse paged.

West Campus Employee Health 

Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location: West Campus, Human Resources and Employee Health, 2nd floor

Phone: 832-227-1365

October 28, 2014

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The flu vaccine protects pregnant women, their unborn babies and the baby after birth.

These are just a few of the reasons it is so important for pregnant women to get a flu vaccine.

Dr. Michael A. Belfort, obstetrician and gynecologist-in-chief of Texas Children’s Hospital, tells you more about how serious the flu can be for pregnant women and why they should get vaccinated against the potentially life-threatening infection.

“Pregnancy is a state where there are adjustments in the mother’s immune system that can make certain infections more serious during pregnancy than they would be outside of pregnancy,” Belfort said. “The flu is one of those illnesses that can be a lot worse in pregnancy than outside of pregnancy.”

Pregnant woman with the flu also have a greater chance for serious problems for their unborn baby, including premature labor and delivery, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“So, it is absolutely vital for all pregnant women to get the flu vaccine,” Belfort said.

The shot has proven to be safe for pregnant women and their babies with millions of expecting mothers receiving the vaccine during previous years.

Getting the shot is the first and most important step in protecting against flu, according to the CDC. Given during pregnancy, the shot has been shown to protect both the mother and her baby (up to 6 months old) from the flu.

Employee Health is administering free seasonal influenza vaccinations to all Texas Children’s employees, Baylor College of Medicine employees working in Texas Children’s facilities, Texas Children’s medical staff and volunteers. Leaders from Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Health Centers and The Center for Women and Children will inform their staff about seasonal flu vaccination details.

Click here to view vaccination schedules on Connect for both Main and West Campuses. Employee Health strongly encourages you to get your vaccine at one of the times listed on the schedule. If you are unable to do so, please schedule an appointment to get the flu vaccine at the Employee Health Clinic.

And, remember, getting an annual flu shot is part of Texas Children’s P3 incentive plan, which is an important component of the total rewards you receive at Texas Children’s Hospital. As part of P3 , we are striving for at least 90 percent of our staff to get vaccinated by Monday, December 1.

October 21, 2014

During the past few weeks, you have heard from various leaders across the organization as to why they want you to get your flu shot. Now, it’s time to hear from your colleagues in other parts of the organization.

All six of the people below received their seasonal flu vaccine the first day it was offered at Texas Children’s. Listen to their stories to find out why they got the flu shot and why they think you should too.

Elizabeth Rincones, a patient care assistant with Texas Children’s Hospital, said she got the flu vaccine to protect herself and the children here at the hospital.

“We take care of kids every day, and if we are exposed to the flu, we could potentially expose them,” she said. “So, I think it’s very important to get the flu shot every year.”

Paige Simmons, a development associate with Texas Children’s, is pregnant with her first child and said she got the influenza vaccine to protect herself and her baby. Simmons urged other pregnant women to do the same.

“Definitely be vaccinated,” she said. “Little babies, they can’t handle it (the flu), so we need to watch out for them.”

Richard Lion is a fellow with Pediatric ICU Services and works with some of the sickest patients in the hospital. He said he got his flu shot because he didn’t want to put his patients at an increased risk of getting an infection that can be deadly to those with compromised immune systems.

“It’s well known that influenza is a terrible thing for them to experience,” Lion said. “Therefore, you can’t take any chances of putting them at risk.”

Clara Diaz, a patient care assistant who works with children who have pulmonary issues, said she gets the flu vaccine because she herself is at high risk of suffering complications from the infection.

“I already have asthma, so this lets me go,” Diaz said. “I can keep on working without stopping the work flow.”

Sarah Koohmaraie, a transplant coordinator, said she gets the flu shot every year to protect herself, her patients and her dad, who is a transplant recipient.

“I can’t think of anything more important,” she said of getting the vaccine. “The flu doesn’t discriminate, it gets everyone. So, the more people who get vaccines the better.”

Melvin Sergeant, a staff technician in Radiology, said he gets the flu shot because he knows firsthand what it’s like to have the infection.

“I’ve had the flu twice and I was hospitalized for it,” Sergeant said. “So, now I protect myself.”

Sergeant said other Texas Children’s employees should do the same.

“Please take the flu shot,” he said. “It will help you, plus it’s free.”

Employee Health is administering free seasonal influenza vaccinations to all Texas Children’s employees, Baylor College of Medicine employees working in Texas Children’s facilities, Texas Children’s medical staff and volunteers. Leaders from Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Health Centers and The Center for Women and Children will inform their staff about seasonal flu vaccination details.

Click here to view vaccination schedules for both Main and West Campuses on Connect. Employee Health strongly encourages you to get your vaccine at one of the times listed on the schedule. If you are unable to do so, please schedule an appointment to get the flu vaccine at the Employee Health Clinic after Wednesday, October 1.

And, remember, getting an annual flu shot is part of Texas Children’s P3 incentive plan, which is an important component of the total rewards you receive at Texas Children’s Hospital. As part of P3, we are striving for at least 90 percent of our staff to get vaccinated by Monday, December 1. As of October 21, almost 65 percent of employees had gotten a flu shot.

October 14, 2014

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The flu can place a heavy burden on the health and well-being of children and their families. That burden can be especially heavy for those whose immune systems already are compromised.

“In hematology and oncology, we have a large number of patients who are immunocompromised,” said Dr. David Poplack, director of the Texas Children’s Cancer Center. “That means they are at a much greater risk of suffering an infection.”

If that infection is the flu, it could mean an extended hospital stay, the worsening of chronic health problems or, in some situations, even death.

To best protect our immunocompromised patients from influenza, those patients, their families and the health care workers who treat them should get a flu vaccine.

In addition to people with compromised immune systems, people who have the following medical conditions also are at high risk of developing flu-related complications:

  • Asthma
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Heat disease
  • Blood disorders
  • Endocrine disorders
  • Kidney disorders
  • Liver disorders
  • Metabolic disorders

“Because we treat so many people with these types of conditions here at Texas Children’s,” Poplack said. “We must have all of our employees and anyone who comes in contact with these patients immunized with the flu vaccine.”

About 5,500 Texas Children’s employees already have gotten their flu vaccine. Now it’s your turn to be part of the solution and help yourself as well as our high risk patients.

Employee Health is administering free seasonal influenza vaccinations to all Texas Children’s employees, Baylor College of Medicine employees working in Texas Children’s facilities, Texas Children’s medical staff and volunteers. Leaders from Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Health Centers and The Center for Women and Children will inform their staff about seasonal flu vaccination details.

Click here to view vaccination schedules for both Main and West Campuses. Employee Health strongly encourages you to get your vaccine at one of the times listed on the schedule. If you are unable to do so, please schedule an appointment to get the flu vaccine at the Employee Health Clinic after October 1.

And, remember, getting an annual flu shot is part of Texas Children’s P3 incentive plan, which is an important component of the total rewards you receive at Texas Children’s Hospital. As part of P3 , we are striving for at least 90 percent of our staff to get vaccinated by Monday, December 1. As of October13, almost 65 percent of employees had gotten a flu shot.

October 7, 2014

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Although the flu shot has proven to be the best protector against influenza, there still are people who don’t get the vaccine. Many of these hold outs believe the myriad of myths about the flu and its vaccine that circulate each year. Since influenza can be serious, even fatal, it’s crucial these misconceptions and rumors are debunked.

Director of Employee Health and Wellness Jill Fragoso and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are working hard to do just that and address three of the most popular myths below.

Myth #1: The flu vaccine can give you the flu.

“That is absolutely a misconception,” Fragoso said. “You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine.”

The vaccine contains inactivated, or dead, viruses, making it impossible for the vaccine to infect you, Fragoso explained.

The vaccine might cause some side effects – the most common of which are soreness where the shot was given, maybe a low fever or achiness – but it will not cause the flu itself, the CDC reports.

Myth #2: Healthy people don’t need to get the flu vaccine.

It’s true that those most likely to become seriously ill or die from the flu are: 65 and older, younger than 5, pregnant, or have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease.

But even healthy people can become sick with the flu and experience serious complications from it. That’s why the CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine, not just those who are at high risk of getting the virus.

“We recommend all employees receive the flu shot,” Fragoso said. “Especially since we are working with vulnerable populations.”

Myth #3: You don’t need to get the flu vaccine every year.

This is not true for two reasons:

  1. Flu viruses are constantly changing, and different flu viruses circulate and cause illness each season. Flu vaccines are made each year to protect against the flu viruses that research indicates will be most common.
  2. A person’s immunity from the flu vaccine declines over time. So, an annual vaccine is needed for optimal protection.

The CDC recommends getting the seasonal vaccine as soon as it’s available since it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop. The agency also recommends offering the vaccine throughout the flu season, which typically begins in October and lasts through January.

Employee Health is administering free seasonal influenza vaccinations to all Texas Children’s employees, Baylor College of Medicine employees working in Texas Children’s facilities, Texas Children’s medical staff and volunteers. Leaders from Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Texas Children’s Health Centers and The Center for Women and Children will inform their staff about seasonal flu vaccination details.

Click here to view vaccination schedules for both Main and West Campuses. Employee Health strongly encourages you to get your vaccine at one of the times listed on the schedule. If you are unable to do so, please schedule an appointment to get the flu vaccine at the Employee Health Clinic.

And, remember, getting an annual flu shot is part of Texas Children’s P3 incentive plan, which is an important component of the total rewards you receive at Texas Children’s Hospital. As part of P3 , we are striving for at least 90 percent of our staff to get vaccinated by Monday, December 1. As of October 3, we were more than half way there.