This past Saturday, I went to an event sponsored by Families Fighting Flu, Visiting Nurse Association of Southeast Michigan, Alliance Mobile Health and Clorox. It was the 6th Annual “Say Boo To The Flu” event. I was SUPPOSED to bring my kids with me but somehow, they all ditched me. Every. Single. One of them. Because they didn’t want to get a flu shot, which…they are going to get anyways(not the shot, the nasal stuff).
They missed out though because, despite the fact that the whole premise of it was to get vaccinated for the flu, there was a whole Halloween themed fun day going on. There was face painting from students of David Pressley beauty school. There were various other “stations” chock full of information along with goodies to fill up a trick or treat bag. It seemed that everyone there was having a great time!
It was held at the Alliance Mobile Health headquarters in Troy. What a great turn out. Whoever did their PR did a tremendous job!
I came in with some questions of my own regarding the flu shot and people with compromised immune systems or heart problems. The RN, Kay Renny, reassured me that the risk of heart attack as a side effect of the flu shot was slim to none. My concern was brought out because last year, on February 5th, my mom had her flu shot. February 15th, she had a massive heart attack that made some of the doctors wonder, if perhaps, there was a direct correlation. Chances were, there wasn’t.
I get my kids, every year, vaccinated against the flu. Because…I just do. We do the nasal one. The kids hate the taste but they prefer it to getting poked. We are all a bunch of sissies in my house. Go ahead, laugh at us. Yes, I can push out babies without pain relief (because I was too chicken to get that epidural!) but I can’t get a shot (see the statement about being too chicken to get an epidural).
The Center For Disease Control? They recommend ANYONE over the age of 6 months get the flu vaccination. No matter what. Because it protects you against the ravages the flu can cause. And yes, the flu CAN cause death. Please, go check out this site run by JoAnna Yaksich, who I met at this event. It’s called Alana’s Flu Foundation. It was set up in honor of JoAnna’s niece who died from the flu.
Vaccination is important for people at higher risk of the influenza and their close contacts.
People who got the 2009 H1N1, which was considered to be a pandemic last year, should STILL GET the vaccination this year, even though the H1N1 vaccine is one of the three flu vaccines that are in the combined shot.
Teach your kids…and yourself, for that matter, because there are a lot of people who don’t do this…COVER YOUR COUGH! With the elbow hug or even your sleeve. If you cough or sneeze into your hand, please wash them before touching me, or anything around me, thank you very much.
Disinfect. Disinfect. Disinfect. Phones, faucets, doorknobs, toilet seats (and clean under that lid, while you’re at it!;)) Anywhere that copious amounts of germy people touch should be, at the very least, sprayed down with Lysol. Because ew. Germs.
When washing hands, scrub with soap for 20 seconds. Sing the alphabet or your favorite Lady Gaga song.
There are ways to avoid getting sick. Take them. M’Kay? And, if you have a kid that you suspect might be coming down with something but you don’t want to miss that aerobics class…too bad. Stay home with your kid and work out in front of the television. Or fold laundry. Don’t send your kid to school sick to infect my kid. Gee, thanks. That’s swell of you.
Anyways, I’d like to thank Alex Hichel from VNA for showing us bloggers around and patiently answering our many questions.
Thank you to Nurse Kay Renny who was very knowledgeable, as well!
If you live in the Tri-County area, you can stop in at these family friendly Say Boo To The Flu clinics…
Friday, October 16th 9am-1pm in Auburn Hills at the North Oakland YMCA at 3378 E. Walton Blvd.
Saturday October 29th at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas 867 S. Boulevard in Pontiac from 4-7 pm.
$25/shot
$30/flu mist
HAP, Blue Care Network, Priority Health, Health Plus of Michigan, Medicare and Medicaid for 19years and older…are all accepted insurances by the Visiting Nurse Association.
Please, strongly consider getting your family inoculated against the flu this year.
Thank you.
Disclaimer: I was compensated by TheMommyhood and Clorox for my time but the opinions, research and everything in this post is MINE, thank you.
Flu season blows. Pun intended. Thanks for the reminder to get our shots! I am 100% behind vaccinating.
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Great post, Melissa…I would also like to add that for those parents who have kids with egg allergy, their allergists can still give them the flu shot in a controlled and monitored environment. Most allergist offices have a stock for just this purpose!
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