1. Influenza Education Presentation
Prepared by Peel Public Health 2013

2. Disclaimer
We are pleased to be able to offer you the use of our Influenza PowerPoint presentation for your use. Peel Public Health grants permission for the use of this Region of Peel intellectual property, and requires that the following provisions are adhered to when used. The presentation shall be displayed solely for educational purposes
The presentation may not be copied or distributed to another agency
The presentation shall not be altered in any way without the written consent of the Region of Peel
Peel Public Health/Region of Peel shall be acknowledged as the creator of the presentation
The presentation will not be used after the influenza campaign
We also request that a person in authority at your organization respond to the Region of Peel by or letter, confirming that the Long Term Care Facility (LTCF) or Retirement Home (RH) accepts the provisions for allowing the use of the Region’s materials 

3. Purpose To promote influenza immunization and wellness by:
Providing the general public with information about influenza and annual influenza immunization
Increasing awareness about the importance of protecting yourself and others from influenza by receiving the annual influenza vaccine

4. Transmission electron micrograph of influenza A virus
What is influenza?
Influenza:
Is commonly known as “the flu”
Is a contagious respiratory infection caused by the influenza virus
Is much worse than a cold
Can cause healthy people to become very ill
Can lower the body’s ability to fight off other infections
Can worsen a current medical condition and those effects can last up to a year
Transmission electron micrograph of influenza A virus
Courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

5. 2013-2014 NACI statement Public Health Agency of Canada
Did you know?
Influenza virus infects % of the Canadian population every year
Flu infection is highest in kids 5-9 years old,
Serious illness and death is highest in:
Kids less than 2 years old,
People more than 65 years old
People with other medical conditions.
The flu and its complications send about 20,000 Canadians to hospital every year
NACI statement Public Health Agency of Canada
Refer to slide

6. Did you know?
As many as 4,000 Canadians (mostly seniors) may die from influenza related pneumonia
The national goal of influenza immunization programs is to prevent influenza from causing serious illness and death
The vaccine is free to all Ontario residents
NACI statement Public Health Agency of Canada
Refer to slide

7. How is influenza spread?
An infected person can spread the virus through the droplets that are expelled while coughing, sneezing or talking
We can “catch the flu” if:
We are within 2 meters of a person who is sick with influenza and they cough or sneeze
and/or
We touch surfaces where these droplets have fallen and then touch our eyes, nose, or mouth before washing our hands
So how do you become infected with influenza?
If you are susceptible (i.e. not immunized) and are in contact with an individual who has influenza you may become infected through droplet spread of the virus.
In healthcare it is important to remember that the influenza virus may also live on surfaces that have been contaminated by an individual who is ill.
The virus can live on objects and hard surfaces – hours and on unwashed hands – 5 minutes
The best prevention is immunization and careful hand hygiene practice.
Courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
NACI statement Public Health Agency of Canada

8. What are the symptoms of influenza?
Sudden high fever
Sore throat
Dry cough
Runny or stuffy nose
Headache
Muscle aches all over the body
Extreme fatigue
NOTE: The elderly may not have a fever. Children may also have earaches, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting (Ministry of Health and Long Term Care)
MOHLTC Influenza Self Assessment Tool

9. What do people say who have had “the flu”?
“I was so sick I couldn’t lift my head off my pillow for a week!”
“I have never been so sick in my life!”
“If you have had it, trust me…you never want it again….I’m getting the flu shot every year from now on!!”

10. What is the difference between influenza (“the flu”) and a cold?
The flu is much worse than a cold. Cold symptoms and complications are much milder that that of the flu.

11. Why do I need the influenza vaccine every year?
Flu viruses are always changing
Flu continually circulates around the world
The World Health Organization monitors the strains of circulating virus and makes recommendations for a new batch of vaccine each year to match the circulating strains
The best time to get your influenza vaccine is early, between October and December, before the number of influenza cases increases in Canada (PHAC)

12. Who should receive annual influenza immunization?
Everyone!
Unless there is a medical reason not to, everyone 6 months of age or older can benefit from receiving the “flu shot”
The Canadian National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) 2012 recommends annual influenza immunization for:
“…persons at high risk of influenza-related complications, those capable of transmitting influenza to individuals at high risk of complications, and those who provide essential community services; however, NACI encourages annual vaccine for all Canadians.”

13. Even during pregnancy

14. What are the benefits to employees and employers?
Promotes wellness by preventing illness and reducing absences from work
Improves quality of life, morale and leisure time
Reduces risk of transmitting flu to family, friends and co-workers
Employers
Reduces short term absenteeism and need for temporary employees
Improves productivity
Promotes wellness in the workplace
Boosts corporate image and morale
Reduces health care costs
(Journal of the Ontario Occupational Health Nurses Association, 1998)

15. What are the side effects of receiving the flu vaccine?
Most people have few or no side effects
Possible side effects include:
Soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site
Mild fever or muscle aches for up to 2 days
Anaphylactic (severe) reactions are very rare

16. What are some of the common myths about the flu?

17. “I didn’t get a flu shot last year and I didn’t get sick.”
Myths about the flu
“I didn’t get a flu shot last year and I didn’t get sick.”
Even though you may have avoided getting the flu so far, it does not mean that you will not get sick this year. Different strains of the flu virus circulate every year.

18. I’m young and healthy. I don’t need a flu shot.
Myths about the flu
I’m young and healthy. I don’t need a flu shot.
Even healthy children and young adults can become seriously ill with influenza. The flu can leave you feeling ill and unable to go to work or perform daily activities for up to seven days.
There is a chance you might infect others who are at much greater risk than you of becoming seriously ill from influenza.

19. “Getting a flu shot will give me the flu.”
Myths about the flu
“Getting a flu shot will give me the flu.”
The vaccine does not contain live virus and cannot give you the flu. If you develop influenza within 2 weeks of receiving the flu vaccine, it is likely that you had already contracted the virus and were developing the flu at the time you were vaccinated.

20. “Flu shots aren’t worth getting because they are not very effective."
Myths about the flu
“Flu shots aren’t worth getting because they are not very effective."
On average, the seasonal flu shot is 50-60% effective in preventing the flu in healthy adults.
Although, some people who get the flu shot may still get sick, the flu tends to be milder than if they did not get the flu shot.
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Influenza

21. “Flu shots aren’t worth getting because they are not very effective” (continued)
The flu shot reduces the risk of serious flu complications.
In Ontario every year, the flu shot eliminates approximately 30,000 visits to hospital emergency departments. It also prevents approximately 300 deaths.
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Influenza

22. “I got the flu shot last year so I don’t need to get it this year”
Myths about the flu
“I got the flu shot last year so I don’t need to get it this year”
Immunity does not last for more than one year.
The viruses that cause the flu change slightly each year so the vaccine must also change each year to match them

23. How can I protect myself and others from getting “the flu”?
Get the flu shot every year
Cover your nose and mouth with your sleeve or elbow when you cough or sneeze
Stay home when you are sick to avoid spreading germs to others

24. How can I protect myself and others from getting “the flu”?
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly
Use soap and water or alcohol based hand rub:
After sneezing or wiping your nose
Before touching your face (nose, mouth, eyes)

25. Where can I get my flu vaccine?
At work
At your family doctor (obtain a record for work)
At a local community clinic (bring a record to work)
A participating pharmacy (>5 years of age)
Visit the Peel Public community clinics:
Refer to slide
Peel Public Health clinics will start October 13. Please refer the website for specific details.
(Suggestion: post copies for your staff and visitors on your bulletin boards)

26. How can I find an influenza vaccine clinic?
Call:
Peel Public Health
Visit:
Peel Public Health website:
Peelregion.ca/flu

27. How can I set up an immunization clinic in my workplace?
Visit:
Peel Web Site
Peelregion.ca/flu/workplace OR
MOHLTC Web Site
Health.gov.on.ca

28. “Share these videos, not the flu”
Resources: Videos
“Share these videos, not the flu”
MOHLTC:
“You and the Flu” and “How the Flu makes you sick” available at:
Health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/publichealth/flu/immunize.aspx
CDC Videos:
Cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/media.htm
If possible to use the internet to connect to the flu video, the url address is on the slide.

29. Resources: Immunize Canada:
Immunize.cpha.ca/en/diseases-vaccines/influenza.aspx
CDC Flu Basics:
Cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/index.htm
CDC E-cards:
T.cdc.gov/ecards/browse.aspx?category=175