CDC: Physicians need influenza vaccination
posted 12.05.07
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a bulletin from Director Julie Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H., urging health care professionals to get a flu shot this season. The document warns physicians to be proactive because the bulk of influenza disease activity peaks in January or later.
Only about 40 percent of health care workers receive an influenza vaccination, but this professional population comes into contact with the disease frequently. “Getting vaccinated against the flu is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself, your patients, and even your loved ones against influenza this season,” Gerberding says in the letter. The bulletin continues, defining influenza, listing reasons why the influenza vaccination is important, and giving quick facts about flu vaccines.