Page 7 - Christiana Care Health System Focus September 2018

| The Christiana Care Way On October 11, #HitMeWithYourFluShot By Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, president and CEO
Thursday, October 11, will be a very special day in the history of Christiana Care. On that date, we will host a one-day mass flu vaccination event across our entire organization in which we’ll attempt to vaccinate all caregivers for flu who are on duty that day. We’re calling it #HitMeWithYourFluShot.
Few organizations have attempted a one-day vaccination event on such a scale, and we anticipate a fun day that will likely draw the interest of our local media. Flu vaccination stations will be set up at both of our hospitals from 4 a.m. to 9 p.m., and a mobile team will support vaccinations at many of our satellite locations. There will be additional communication to the off-site locations in the next few weeks.
We expect all eligible employees who are working on October 11 to get vaccinated for the flu that day, rather than wait until later in the season. All employees must be vaccinated or complete an exemption or declination form (located on the Infection Prevention website) by November 30. Caregivers who are not on duty on October 11 are not required to come in to be vaccinated but are welcome to participate Ein the event if they choose.
ach year in the United States, approximately 226,000 people are hospitalized and 36,000 people die due to the flu. Last year’s flu season (2017-18) was the most severe Delaware has ever seen, with more than 9,000 cases reported, nearly 1200 hospitalizations and 35 deaths.
These are preventable deaths. Flu vaccination saves lives. The flu vaccine is the best protection against the flu.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone six months and older. The CDC, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) recommend that all U.S. health care workers get vaccinated annually against the flu.
Our annual flu vaccine campaign demonstrates our commitment to Optimal Health by protecting the safety and health of our patients, visitors, co-workers, volunteers and families. Last year, 93 percent
of our caregivers were vaccinated against the flu. In the spirit of being excellent today and even better tomorrow, this year we’re aiming higher.
To learn more about this year’s employee flu vaccination campaign and #HitMeWithYourFluShot, please visit the Infection Prevention site on the portals.
I look forward to getting vaccinated with you on Oct. 11. We serve together, guided by our values, Excellence and Love, in protecting our patients, our community and each other from the flu. 
FOCUS • SEPTEMBER 2018 5