Why do you need to be advancing ‘Flu-ency’?

As a nurse, a leader at OSMH, a daughter, wife, mother and grandmother I want to reach out to all of you on why you need to advance ‘Flu-ency’

Each year in Canada, it is estimated that influenza causes approximately 12,200 hospitalizations & 3,500 deaths (from young to old) and I don’t want my co-workers, family and friends to be one of those statistics for 2019/20…so I get the flu shot!

I know that as a healthy person, I may have a lower risk of getting the flu; however I may still be at risk of being infected with minor symptoms and yet be a source of spread to my co-workers, family and friends…so I get the flu shot!

I know that the flu immunization may not be a 100% protective; however even some protection may be preventing me from spreading the flu to my co-workers, family and friends…so I get the flu shot!

I know that if I get influenza that it will prevent me from being at work, being with my family/friends and even cause me to be hospitalized…so I get the flu shot!

I hear about the reasons that others are afraid to get the flu shot and I weigh those risks to the benefits of being immunized…so I get the flu shot!

Finally, I know the importance of spreading the word about influenza prevention and ensuring that my co-workers, family and friends are protected…so I am advancing ‘Flu-ency’

Please join me!

Cheryl
Executive Vice President, Patient Care & People Strategy