Employees at Jackson Health achieve the highest flu immunization rate in the history of the hospital group

Miami-Dade County, Florida – According to Martha Baker, a Jackson Health System nurse and president of SEIU Local 1991, the organization has achieved a historic milestone: an estimated 80% flu vaccination rate among its employees, the highest rate ever.

Jackson’s physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are represented by the union.
According to data released Friday morning by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US is experiencing one of the worst flu seasons in 15 years, so it comes at a crucial moment.

Considering that this is expected to be the worst flu season in 15 years, Baker said, “We were vaccinated at like 80%, around there, which is our best ever.” “It is great for our patients and our colleagues that we are not experiencing sick call batches in our clinical settings.”

Baker went on to say that the administration of Jackson Health and the union worked together to achieve the high immunization rate.

“We are pleased that we reached 80%. “It is rewarding because both the administration and the union took the initiative to get there,” she said. “I think it’s wise to get the shot because any stressor on your body can send you in the wrong direction again.”

South Florida’s flu season has been characterized by a surge in cases, including a recent epidemic in Broward County and a rise in flu-related visits to urgent care facilities at Baptist Health in Miami-Dade.

Overall flu positive rates have decreased, according to the most recent data from a county-by-county case review by the Florida Department of Health.

Baker remarked, “We are fortunate not to be experiencing the staffing shortages observed at certain other hospitals.” “I may have been apprehensive about the flu shot prior to the pandemic, but when COVID struck and you seen fatalities, it truly opened my eyes. I would strongly recommend being vaccinated against the flu.

According to Baker, the union’s vice president and attending physician at Jackson Health’s emergency room, Dr. Dave Woolsey, stressed the value of immunizations for caregivers and healthcare professionals.

“If the caregivers are healthy enough to care for the patients who need our help and are not flu carriers, it has a great impact, even if it only saves one patient’s life,” he said.

Flu-positive rates in South Florida appear to be declining, according to recently released data from state health officials.

However, Memorial Healthcare System reports that its emergency rooms have seen a “significant increase in flu-related visits,” while Baptist Health tells Local 10 News that it is witnessing a rise in flu cases at its urgent care clinics.

The number of influenza A infections at Memorial Healthcare System’s facilities has increased significantly, from roughly 200 instances right before Thanksgiving to almost 600 cases in the first week of February, according to Dr. Randy Katz, district medical director of emergency services.

Serious problems can arise from the flu, especially for small children, the elderly, and people with underlying medical disorders.

Katz issued a statement saying, “We strongly recommend staying at home if you are feeling unwell, getting the annual flu vaccine, and practicing good hand hygiene.” “Seek medical attention right away if you have severe flu symptoms, such as trouble breathing, ongoing chest pain, or a high fever that does not go away.”

In light of the high number of flu cases, health officials continue to emphasize the significance of taking preventive action to help stop the virus’s spread and advise locals to exercise caution.

“Now, keep in mind, if you get a vaccine, it takes about two weeks to actually get the immunity from the vaccine for those antibodies to build up in your body,” added Sanjay Gupta, a physician at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

Jackson Health’s strong vaccination rate has helped to maintain a steady workforce during a difficult flu season, guaranteeing that medical personnel are on hand to treat patients who require treatment.

The Florida Department of Health provides information on how to identify symptoms and what to do if you have the flu as worries about the illness persist. The department states that flu symptoms include:

• Body aches and pains
• Cough and chest discomfort, which may become severe
• Early and significant exhaustion
• Fatigue and weakness lasting up to 2-3 weeks
• Headache
• High fever (102-104 degrees F) lasting 3-4 days
• Occasional stuffy nose, sneezing, and sore throat

The Department of Health advises staying at home if you have the flu until at least 24 hours after your temperature goes down without the use of fever-reducing drugs, or until your symptoms have subsided (usually 4-5 days following the onset of symptoms).
Avoid sharing glasses or dining utensils, get enough sleep, and drink enough of water.
While certain symptoms may be alleviated by over-the-counter cold or cough remedies, it is still advisable to speak with your physician.

Experts are still considering the advantages of giving antiviral medications like Tamiflu during the busiest flu season. This subject is examined in a 2005 paper published in The New England Journal of Medicine, which provides information on the advantages and disadvantages of overprescribing such drugs during flu outbreaks.