SEASONAL FLU SHOT CLINIC

To: Insurance enrolled employees

From: Brandon Nelson, Director of Labor Relations and Benefits

  Cindy Hiltz, Health Services Coordinator

  Colleen Sewall, Insurance Benefits Supervisor

Date:   Sept. 4, 2012

Re: Seasonal flu and Tdap shot clinics

Anoka-Hennepin School District is pleased to announce its regular offering of seasonal flu shot clinics with an option for Tdap shots at several school sites this fall. Clinics are scheduled to begin on Sept. 10 and run through Sept. 13. Since the flu vaccine is available early this year and Anoka County is in the middle of a pertussis (whooping cough) epidemic, we have moved our clinic dates forward.

Tdap was licensed in 2005 and adds pertussis prevention to the Td shot. Pertussis causes severe coughing spells, vomiting and disturbed sleep. Adults under 65, who have close contact with children and have never had Tdap, should substitute it for the next booster dose. Please consider getting a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccination if you have not had Tdap in the past. If you received your tetanus vaccine in the past two years at the Anoka-Hennepin clinics you did have the pertussis vaccination and do not need to repeat it.

If you are a member of an Anoka-Hennepin Medica health insurance plan, you have the opportunity to receive a flu and/or Tdap shot at one of the sites listed on the back of this memo with no co-payment. Anoka-Hennepin’s self insured health plan will be paying the cost of the shots for all covered employees. Family members ages three and older who are enrolled in our plans may be immunized for flu and those seven years and older may also receive Tdap.  All employees and dependents not covered by Anoka-Hennepin’s plan may receive a flu shot at the cost of $29 and receive a Tdap shot at the cost of $60, which will be collected at the clinic site. Minor children must have parental consent to receive the vaccine. Flu shots may also be received at your medical provider’s office or at Medica retail pharmacies such as Cub Foods or Walgreens.

Influenza (flu) is a serious viral infection that comes on suddenly and can make you feel quite awful. It can affect your whole body with a complete “menu” of symptoms: high fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, pain in muscles around your eyes, fatigue, weakness, sneezing, runny nose, and cough. Flu season in the U.S. generally begins in December and extends through March. Flu vaccination is effective for the entire season.  It is not too soon to receive your flu vaccination.

Who should get flu shots?

· All persons who wish to reduce their risk of becoming ill with influenza or transmitting it to others.

· Everyone older than six months of age should get a flu vaccine this year. Even if you’ve gotten a flu vaccine last year and/or the H1N1 vaccine, you should still get a vaccine again this year.

The single best way to prevent getting the flu and pertussis is to get vaccinated. In addition, it is wise to practice other healthy habits:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• Stay home from work, school and running errands when you are sick;
• Sneeze or cough into the inner aspect of the elbow or upper arm; and
• Wash your hands often to protect yourself from germs.

Please refer to the attached schedule for the flu clinic sites, dates and times. Eligible employees may attend any flu clinic at the stated times.