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Flu vaccinations were available this year from October 15. However, maybe it’s just me, but it seemed to me that a lot of people I knew were getting sick with flu-like symptoms well before then. Given that it takes around two weeks for one’s body to produce the antibodies, anyone getting a shot in midOctober is unlikely to get the full benefit until the first week of November. At the time of writing I know a lot more people that are sick now. Touch wood, not me, yet.
The World Health Organization (WHO) gets to make the call on the choice of flu vaccine for a given season. Given the pesky nature of flu and its ability to mutate, it’s a bit of a lottery as to getting it right. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last year’s vaccine effectiveness was 40 per cent and the same for the year before. The 2010-2011 season looks to be the best at 60 per cent and 2004 – 2005 the worst at 10 per cent. This year, the jury is still out.
I’m not going to get into the efficacy of having a flu shot that’s a personal choice. Here’s the thing though. Based on my own observations the flu season kicks off majorly when the kids return to school after the summer break in the first week of September. I don’t believe that’s a coincidence.
So, for better effectiveness should the flu shot campaign start in mid-August? Will the supplies be ready by then? Furthermore, it’s my belief that the major centres to picks up a flu infection before spreading it to one’s family, are schools, daycares and the workplace. You could also add to that list of places where a lot of people get together such as, sports events, concerts and shopping destinations.
Of the three major ones, the workplace, one would hope that people that are sick wouldn’t come in to spread the virus further, and, that their employer would see the wisdom of this. Sadly, not all do, and even more sadly, some employers insist on a contagious sick person seeing a doctor for a sick note, ludicrous unless they are dangerously ill. I believe employers that insist on a sick note should be billed for it.
Young children are not that mindful of sneezing, coughing and washing hand protocols. Some older ones aren’t either. More hygiene education and measures would not come amiss. And, whatever the stress, teachers, if you’re sick and contagious, stay home. Heaven knows what the cost to the AHS and the economy is on viruses being unnecessarily spread.
Finally, holidays break up the flu cycle. It’s noticeable that usually, I stress usually, after the Christmas break, the flu season declines, having spiked before it. This year there is an extra week’s holiday after Remembrance. Why not take that week and add it to the Christmas break? Break the cycle early.