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Public Employee Press
HHC offers workers free
flu shots The
New York City Health and Hospitals Corp. recently announced an aggressive campaign
to provide free flu shots for all employees in its health care facilities. Getting
the shot protects the employees and keeps them from passing the virus to their
families, neighbors and patients.
The shots will be available free to HHC
employees until April 30, 2008; however, the corporation advised workers to get
the shot before January, when influenza activity increases. The flu season
can last until May.
In an effort to make it easier for employees to get
flu shots, HHC is bringing the shots to them during a vaccination blitz
that runs through Nov. 4. Trained staff with vaccine-loaded carts will travel
hospital halls so workers can take their shots in a brief break at their worksites
on all shifts.
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by the
powerful influenza viruses, which can cause mild to severe illness and even death.
The flu kills hundreds of New Yorkers every year.
The illness is spread
mainly from person to person when people with influenza cough or sneeze and others
touch something with the flu viruses on it and then touch their mouth or nose,
giving the virus easy access to the body.
Most healthy adults may be able
to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days
after they become sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to
someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
HHC
employees who get the flu shot before Nov. 4 will be eligible to participate in
a lottery where the winners will receive a $100 gift card.
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