Every year JMS carries out Seasonal Flu Vaccinations for staff members and their dependants.

The flu is caused by the influenza virus which can be spread by coughing, sneezing or nasal secretions. The symptoms for the flu are fever, sore throat, chills, fatigue, cough runny/stuffy nose, headache, and/ or muscle aches and in some cases stomach symptoms e.g. nausea, vomiting and diarrhea especially in children. These symptoms are similar to what we call the common cold. The cold starts off with a dry, scratchy sore throat followed by a runny &/ plugged nose and cough. Rarely, is a fever present with a cold.

The difference with the flu and the cold, is that the flu is a specific virus which has more serious effects and the common cold is caused by other respiratoral viruses, whose symptoms though similar to that of the flu last a shorter time and are less serious. This is the reason one may get vaccinated but still suffer the symptoms of the flu. Influenza can lead to complications of pneumonia and even death.

Getting the flu vaccination has benefits:

• It is life saving for people at risk i.e. those with chronic conditions
• Avoidance of illness and hospitalization
• Avoidance of absenteeism from work or school
• Reduction in the medical costs associated with treating Flu for the individual or the organization which results in cost saving
• Improved productivity for the organization because of avoidance of absenteeism

We recommend the flu vaccination for all persons, starting with children from 6 months and above. We also recommend the vaccine for:

• The elderly,
• Adults and children with chronic heart disease, lung conditions including asthma, diabetes, and kidney disorders.
• Adults and children with lowered immunity caused by medications or HIV/AIDS
• Women who are in the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
• Critical Staff
• Health care workers

The vaccinations take place yearly because the virus that causes flu mutates constantly, and vaccination offers the only defense measure that one can take in order to remain effectively protected against the disease. The vaccinations have to be formulated from time to time to match the circulating strain. In general, protection acquired from influenza vaccination lasts 6-12 months.

The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. The flu vaccine is highly recommended for the elderly who are over 65 years of age; anyone with chronic disease that affects the immune system, such as Hepatitis B or C, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and those with lung, heart, kidney and liver diseases.

Getting vaccinated against the seasonal flu has many benefits. It helps reduce the risks of death as well as the chances of hospitalization.

With the H1N1 pandemic currently spreading, the flu vaccination is strongly recommended for ALL. This is especially so for those at risk:

•  Persons with serious underlying disease:

•  Chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, haematological (including sickle cell disease), neurologic, neuromuscular, or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus), obesity:

•  Immuno- suppression, including that caused by medications or by HIV

•  Person under 18 years of age who are receiving long-term aspirin therapy

•  Young children under two years of age

•  Pregnant women

Many countries are recommending seasonal flu vaccination in addition to H1N1 vaccination in their vaccination plan. (More on H1N1 Vaccination in other links on this site)

LINKS

• Flu Surveillance Graphs
• Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
• Seasonal Influenza and its vaccination-FAQs
• Seasonal Influenza and it's vaccination
• Benefits of the seasonal flu vaccination
• Seasonal, Avian and Pandemic Influenza
• Common Cold Vs Flu