Remember to get your flu vaccine! Getting your flu vaccine is not just the best way to protect yourself from getting sick, but it is also a way to protect vulnerable members of our community. The very young, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems can be unsuitable for vaccinations. By getting vaccinated, you can literally save the lives of those who cannot protect themselves from the flu.
This week, we held our annual flu shot clinic in the WSHA offices, immunizing our staff and their families. As an organization, we are hoping to reach 100 percent flu vaccination with our staff, following the lead of many of our members in striving for full participation to protect ourselves and each other.
More than 80,000 Americans died of the flu in the winter of 2017-2018, and 90 percent of them were 65 or older. The flu also killed 180 young children and teenagers — more than any other year since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began tracking pediatric deaths.
While last year’s flu season was particularly harsh, it serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of getting vaccinated. Our most vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors depend on it. (Tim Pfarr)
