Worst Flu Season Ever
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October 23, 2009 • Demitria Dituri
Filed under National News
This year the flu has had a huge outbreak that has cause panic across the nation. There are two type of flu that you should get vaccinated for, and those are the regular flu, and the dreaded “swine flu”. It’s very important that you get vaccinated, because the flu can be fatal in some cases. Getting vaccinated not only helps you stay healthy, but it also helps all the people who you come in contact with on a daily basis stay healthy.
UC Davis Health System is fighting the flu with a new policy that requires faculty, staff, students, and even vendors to get the flu shot or wear a mask. The policy requires them to get a shot by Dec. 1, or wear that mask covering their mouth and nose while at work or school to prevent the spread of infection.
Allan Seifkin, Medical Director of UC Davis Health System says, “This could be the worst flu season in modern history. Seasonal flu combined with H1N1 (swine flu) makes the full impact of this particular flu season difficult to anticipate. We are taking every reasonable precaution as early as possible.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 220,000 people are hospitalized each year due to seasonal flu and for 36,000 the flu is fatal. UC Davis Health System is now offering free seasonal flu shots to staff and students. However, the seasonal flu vaccine will not provide protection against H1N1 (swine flu) influenza, which is an especially deadly new strain of the flu infection. They will also offer free masks to those who are not vaccinated by Dec. 1.
“Reducing flu cases this year means that it will be important to get vaccinations for both types of flu viruses, beginning with the vaccine that is currently available,” said Siefkin. “We will be following the CDC guidelines for distributing the H1N1 vaccine as soon as it is here.”
“The new policy, along with our many other flu-prevention efforts, are intended to keep our team healthy,” said Siefkin. “We want to be here to care for our patients and to continue offering the high-quality services that our community relies on, from out level 1 trauma center and nationally designated cancer center to our children’s hospital and other specialty programs.”
It is a good idea to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer with you in your backpack at all times. Do your part to keep America healthy by going to get vaccinated today!
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I like how you presented the information with something interesting to grab the reader’s attention. It was written out well. It gives people a good warning about the flu and the swine flu. Plus, there’s evidence to support the stated fact. Good job!
- Erin L.
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I think this story is really interesting. Everybody should worry about getting this deadly influenza. Even though they made a vaccine for it the virus spreads faster than they can give the shots.
- Derrick M.
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