Doctors, CDC: Get flu vaccine by Halloween

Oct. 26--The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is joining insurance companies and doctors in encouraging all Alabamians to get their influenza vaccine before the end of October.

According to the CDC, the 2017-2018 flu season was the deadliest in at least four decades, killing about 80,000 Americans.

"We understand the impact it can have on people and their families," said American Family Care Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ben Barlow. "As one of the leading providers of occupational medicine in the United States, we also understand the effect the flu has on businesses and the economy overall."

AFC is combatting this issue with the return of National Flu Prevention Week, which lasts Oct. 22 -- 28. Alabamians can walk into any of AFC's clinic locations, such as the one at 1285 U.S. 72 East in Athens, and get the flu shot for little or no cost.

"Getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to protect yourself and your family from flu and its potentially serious complications," according to a press release from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. "The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated by the end of October."

Those with insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield or other accepted companies can get the vaccine for free at AFC clinics. Otherwise, it's $25.

AFC is also offering help for employers. The CDC estimated U.S. employees missed 17 million work days due to flu last year, costing $7 billion in lost productivity and sick pay.

A hotline for employers interested in curtailing the spread of flu or colds can be reached from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at 205-421-2148. Workplace readiness kits with paper towels, disinfectant spray, hand sanitizer, ink pens, wipes and a flu prevention checklist are also available.

Some of these items may seem silly, but a press release from AFC said 12 percent of surfaces that looked clean were heavily contaminated because the sponges or cloths used to clean them were full of bacteria from previous cleanings. The same press release also encouraged employees with a personal stockpile of pens to avoid sharing them with other employees who may be carrying disease-causing germs.

"The flu takes a devastating toll on our nation's workforce," Barlow said. "Employers should make sure they give workers time to go get the flu vaccination and step up the cleaning and disinfecting of their facilities to keep the workplace as germ-free as possible."

However, while the vaccine remains the top way to reduce the chances of getting or spreading the flu, the CDC warns it can take about two weeks for the antibodies that protect against infection to develop in the body.

To that end, Blue Cross Blue Shield suggests people cover their mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing; wash their hands often; stay home if sick; and touch their eyes, nose or mouth as little as possible to further prevent the flu from spreading.

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