Employees are required to receive the influenza vaccine each year to help protect our patient families, fellow employees, and our community, against this serious disease. Some departments will perform vaccinations for employees in their areas. We will also be offering several Flu Vaccine Fairs, where employees can drop in without an appointment for their vaccine. Employees may also supply proof of vaccination from an outside provider. 

To get the process started, employees will need to complete an electronic consent form. 

You must get your flu vaccine by the Oct. 18 deadline.

Complete your employee influenza electronic consent form on the new Enterprise Health portal starting Aug 27. Here is the link: Enterprise Health: Cook Childrens Hospital Prod Log In

The consent form must be completed by all Cook Children’s staff before Sept. 16.

You can find the consent forms on your Enterprise Health Employee Portal site. TO FIND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO FILL OUT THE CONSENT FORM, GO TO “DOWNLOADS” AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE. 

Flu Vaccine Fair schedule:
 
Sept. 17: 8 a.m.-3 p.m., 901 Seventh Ave., first floor Atrium 
Sept. 19: 8 a.m. -3 p.m., 901 Seventh Ave., first floor Atrium 
Sept. 24: 8 a.m. -3 p.m., 901 Seventh Ave., first floor Atrium 

Sept. 26: 8 a.m. -3 p.m., Fort Worth Medical Center, Family Support Meeting Center A/B 
Oct. 1: 8 a.m. -3 p.m., 901 Seventh Ave., first floor Atrium                                                    

Oct. 3: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Medical Center-Fort Worth, Pavilion 6 

Oct. 8: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Calmont building. Location to be determined.

Oct. 9:  9 a.m. to noon, Rosedale Office Building, ROB 1102

Flu vaccines from an outside provider:

• If you get your flu shot at a non-Cook Children's provider, such as your doctor's office or a pharmacy, you will scan in your proof of vaccination on your Enterprise Health Employee Portal under My Medical tab. 
   
• Proof must include your name, date of birth, date of vaccination, provider information, lot number, manufacturer, and which arm received the vaccine. 
   
• We cannot accept a “waiting for vaccination by pharmacy” form. You must provide the actual documentation of the vaccine received.  

Exemption requests:

• If you are requesting an exemption from influenza vaccination the upcoming year, a separate request form must be completed for medical or religious exemptions. 
• The deadline for exemption requests is Oct. 6 to allow the Accommodations Committee to meet and make final determinations on requests in a timely manner. 
• If you are requesting an exemption, please find the exemption request forms on your Enterprise Health Employee Portal site and identify whether you are requesting Medical or Religious exemption.  
• Occupational Health will then send you the appropriate form, which must be completed, onto your portal. 
• The completed forms must be uploaded back to your portal for the Accommodations Committee to review for a decision.  Medical exemptions will need your physician to complete, so please keep the timeline in mind.

Flu vaccine pick up for department events

Nursing departments in all companies will have the opportunity to request vaccine from Occupational Health and perform vaccinations for the people who work in their areas. 

*Flu vaccine will be available around Sept. 9, please contact Kasee Williams and Jamie Kayser to confirm your pick up date.

Cook Children's Physician Network: these groups will coordinate with Emma Price for these requests. 

Medical Center-Prosper: Location and Date to be communicated by Prosper Administration.

ALL OTHER COMPANIES: please contact Kasee Williams and Jamie Kayser.

Annual Flu Compliance

2024 Deadline Date: October 18, 2024

Cook Children’s Health Care staff are expected to be compliant with influenza vaccination requirements annually. Occupational Health will set and publish the deadline date each year.

Failure to maintain compliance will result in disciplinary actions:

•      Failure to complete by deadline – Written Warning

•      Failure to complete within next 14 days – Final Written Warning

•      Failure to complete within next 14 days – Suspension 

Referenced Policy HR800

Cook Children’s Health Care System is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our employees, patients and visitors. We treat patients who may present with highly contagious communicable diseases. To protect our employees from those diseases that require N95 Respirator Mask protection, we require patient and family facing staff to obtain an annual mask fitting.

As we saw with the global pandemic, these situations happen very quickly and it is necessary for Cook Children’s staff to be prepared and protected at all times.

In keeping with Our Promise, we are doing everything we can to protect those in our care while respecting your individual rights.

We want to share some suggestions to help keep you, and your patients, safe during flu, RSV and other upper respiratory infection seasons.

 For the Patient and their Families

• Please try to get patients/family with possible COVID or other respiratory viral infection into an exam room as soon as possible.
• The visitors of inpatients with COVID are to be strongly encouraged to wear a mask when out of the patient room and still on hospital property to protect other hospitalized and vulnerable children.
• If a patient or their family show symptoms such as a fever or cold, talk to them about rescheduling a non-emergent procedure or appointment. If it is an emergency, ask the patient and family to please wear a mask while they are at Cook Children’s, to protect our fragile patients and our staff.

For the Caregiver

• Consider wearing a mask when seeing patients, especially for children with low immune systems and medically fragile conditions. This will create a protective barrier between those with sneezing, cough and fever symptoms.
• Remember that an N95 mask is required for all COVID positive patients. There is no change to the current N95 fit testing requirement.  If you are in a patient facing position, you must have a respirator fit test once every 12 months.
• Please practice good hand hygiene and remember to wash your hands thoroughly:
  • Before touching a patient
  • Before clean/aseptic procedures
  • After body fluid exposure risk
  • After touching a patient
  • After touching patient surroundings.

 Wearing a mask is not mandatory, but if you are a staff member and want to wear one because it makes you feel safer or it's best for your health, please always wear one while you are at work.

• If you are ill with symptoms of the flu, RSV, or COVID-19, please take PTO to recover.
• If you have COVID-19, please isolate for at least 5 days and be fever free for 24 hours before returning to work (day 0 is the day symptoms started or when you tested positive). Please continue to wear a mask when you return to work through day 10.
• If you have moderate or severe COVID-19, please isolate at home through at least day 10. If symptoms continue, those with severe COVID-19 may need to stay isolated for up to 20 days.
  •  If you are off work for 5 or more days, you will need to contact Hartford at 877-936-5336 for FMLA/LOA. Upon release by your physician and prior to returning to work, please return to Occupational Health with your physician note and completed return to work form. You may contact occupational health by email at OCCHEALTH@COOKCHILDRENS.ORG or call 682-885-3837 and press option 1.

By Phillip Scott, M.D. Pediatric Hospitalist

2022-2023 marked the return of a robust influenza season after low influenza rates during the COVID19 pandemic.  Below are data from the Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network (FluSurv-NET) | CDC) noting cumulative hospitalization rates for influenza in children (<18 years old) comparing the 2021-22 and 2022-23 influenza seasons.  This data reflects the urgency of immunizing our patients against influenza this season.

Influenza immunizations are now available for inpatients.

Please prioritize talking to your patients and families about influenza immunization.  Your recommendation makes all the difference.

The flu, as many of you know, is more than just a seasonal inconvenience. It's a contagious viral respiratory illness that can range from mild discomfort to severe complications, and unfortunately, it can even be fatal. We understand that the flu shot isn't a 100% guarantee against the flu, but it can significantly lower the risk of infection and potentially serious outcomes, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.

At Cook Children's, our purpose goes beyond just providing health care – we're a beacon of support and care for our young patients and their families. The decision to uphold the flu vaccine requirement is rooted in our commitment to their well-being. You see, the flu can pose a particular threat to our younger patients and to older visitors or those with underlying health conditions.

By taking this step, we are playing a crucial role in safeguarding those who trust us to provide a safe environment during their time with us. Your choice to protect yourself from the flu not only reduces the likelihood of transmission to vulnerable patients and visitors but also minimizes the spread of illness among your fellow team members.

We recognize that maintaining a healthy workforce is vital to sustaining our daily operations and ensuring that every member of our team can perform at their best without unnecessary stress. Furthermore, the positive impact of your commitment extends beyond the hospital walls; it contributes to the well-being of our entire community.

As we embrace this decision, we stand together to fulfill our Pinky Promise – a promise to do everything within our power for the children in our care. Your dedication to upholding this promise, especially by continuing to receive the flu vaccine, is a testament to the compassion and care that define Cook Children's.

Thank you for your continued support and for being an integral part of our mission. Your proactive choice not only protects yourself but also contributes to the health and happiness of those we serve – from our littlest patients to our dearest friends and loved ones.

Please read more about the process for getting the flu vaccine by the deadline of Oct. 23, 2023.

To get the process started, employees will need to complete an electronic consent form. 

You must get your flu vaccine by the Oct. 23 deadline.

Complete Your Consent Form on Workday

The employee influenza electronic consent form must be completed by all Cook Children’s staff.

You can find the consent forms on the Workday site. TO FIND INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO FILL OUT THE CONSENT FORM, GO TO “DOWNLOADS” AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THIS PAGE. 

Flu Vaccine Fair schedule 

Here is the schedule for drop-in flu vaccine fairs: 
 
Sept. 21: 7 a.m.-4 p.m., 901 Seventh Avenue, first floor Atrium 
Sept. 26: 7 a.m. -4 p.m., 901 Seventh Avenue, first floor Atrium 
Sept. 28: 7 a.m. -4 p.m., Fort Worth Medical Center, Family Support Meeting Center A/B 
Oct. 3:  9 a.m. to noon, Rosedale Office Building, ROB 5405 
Oct. 4: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Medical Center Prosper. Location to be determined.
Oct. 5: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Fort Worth Medical Center, Family Support Meeting Center A/B 
 

Flu vaccines from an outside provider

• If you get your flu shot at non-Cook Children's provider, such as your doctor's office or a pharmacy, send in your proof of vaccination to Occhealth@cookchildrens.org.
   
• Proof must include your name, date of birth, date of vaccination, provider information, lot number, manufacturer, and which arm received the vaccine. 
   
• We cannot accept a “waiting for vaccination by pharmacy” form. You must provide the actual documentation of the vaccine received. 
   

Exemption requests 

• If you are requesting an exemption from influenza vaccination the upcoming year, a separate request form must be completed for medical or religious exemptions. 
• The deadline for exemption requests is October 6 to allow the Accommodations Committee to meet and make final determinations on requests in a timely manner. 
• If you are requesting an exemption, please contact Occhealth@cookchildrens.org and identify whether you are requesting Medical or Religious exemption.
• If you have an existing exemption with Occupational Health for influenza, you will be contacted by email and will not need to resubmit a new form.

Flu vaccine pick up for department events

Nursing departments in all companies will have the opportunity to request vaccine from Occupational Health and perform vaccinations for the people who work in their areas. 

Cook Children's Physician Network: these groups will coordinate with Emma Price for these requests. Emma.Price@cookchildrens.org

ALL OTHER COMPANIES: please contact Kasee Williams at Kasee.Williams@cookchildrens.org and Jamie Kayser at Jamie.Kayser@cookchildrens.org

• 7 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sept. 20, Pav 1
• 7 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sept. 22, Family Meeting Center
• 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sept. 27, ROB 1102 ABC meeting rooms
• 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sept. 29, Pav 1
• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Oct. 4, 901 7^th Ave., 3^rd floor conference room
• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Oct. 6, 901 7^th Ave., 3^rd floor conference room
• A Calmont flu clinic is currently being planned and the time and date will be updated once confirmed.

Whether you receive your flu shot in your department or at one of our flu clinics, you must complete a consent form. To sign the consent form electronically through Lawson, follow these steps:

• Scroll down on the left navigation bar and click on “Employee Self Service”
• Then click “Human Resources”
• Then click “Occ Health Portal”
• Then click on “Forms” at the top of the page and click on “Influenza Vaccine Consent” to complete your form

Please let families know they can receive the flu vaccine for their children by making an appointment to see their pediatrician or, beginning next week, while they are inpatient.

“We play a critical role as providers in keeping our patients up to date on their routine childhood immunizations, including the influenza vaccine,” said Phillip Scott, M.D., a hospitalist at Cook Children’s. In the face of widespread vaccine hesitancy, it is important that we are prepared to talk to our patients and families about the influenza vaccine. Don’t underestimate the importance of a simple conversation. Your patients and their families value your opinion and are relying on your recommendations regarding this year’s influenza vaccine.”

We have a number of resources available to you about the upcoming flu season. Just visit our internal newsroom, cookchildrensconnect.com and click the Flu/COVID-19 updates tab.

Articles include:

• Influenza Vaccine Resources for You
• Flu Season: How To Make a Strong Influenza Vaccine Recommendation
• The CDC’s SHARE Model Helps Health Care Professionals Talk to Patients About the Importance of Influenza Vaccines to Make Informed Decisions
• Tips for Administering Vaccines to Patients Ages 5-11
• Australia’s Bad Flu Season Serves As Reminder For The Importance of Immunization

However, some early indicators say we could see something we haven’t seen in a while: a potentially severe influenza season.

Clinical experts in the U.S. watch the Southern Hemisphere of the world for signs of what might be in store for us in the north. Flu season in Australia can often be an indication of what’s to come in the U.S. Unfortunately, NBC News reports that Australia is nearing the “end of its worst flu season in five years, according to the latest data from the country’s Department of Health and Aged Care."

Alicia Fry, M.D., the chief of the Epidemiology and Prevention Branch of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the CDC is “very alert for signs of an early and strong flu season in the United States." 

Additionally, Australia’s flu season hit children hard this year. Kids ages 5-9 had the highest rate of flu cases, followed by children 4 and younger and teens.

How effective the flu vaccine is depends on how well experts predict what strains of the flu will be circulating the globe that year.

“The vaccine strains are chosen about nine months before flu season, based on circulating strains from around the world by epidemiologists who are geniuses and do this for a living,” said Mary Suzanne Whitworth, M.D., medical director of Infectious Diseases.

Jason Terk, M.D., a Cook Children’s pediatrician and a national expert on immunizations, adds his voice to other pediatricians and global health experts who say the flu vaccine remains the best way to prevent influenza.

“The great news about the vaccine is that even when it’s not always a perfect match for prevention, the flu vaccine can reduce the severity of the illness, even if you do catch the flu that season,” Dr. Terk said.

To make an appointment for your child’s flu shot, contact your Cook Children’s pediatrician. The vaccine is currently available in many offices and a second shipment will be delivered next week.

If your child is a patient and staying overnight at Cook Children's Medical Center, they may also receive the vaccine during their stay.

“It takes two weeks for the shot to become most effective. Because flu can hit as early as late October or early November, we recommend getting the flu shot as soon as possible and definitely before the end of October,” said Justin Smith, M.D., a Cook Children’s pediatrician.

At Cook Children’s, we want to provide the vaccine to as many patients as possible whether they are making an appointment with their pediatrician or staying overnight at the medical center. 

This flu season we are making the influenza vaccine available to any patient staying overnight at Cook Children’s, beginning in mid-September. Please take the opportunity to talk to your inpatient families about receiving the flu shot while they are staying at Cook Children’s.

Phillip Scott, M.D., knows first-hand the growing number of parents who are hesitant to give their child any vaccine, including one for the flu. But he also understands the power of talking to parents about the importance of immunization for a child.

“We play a critical role as providers in keeping our patients up to date on their routine childhood immunizations, including the influenza vaccine,” said Phillip Scott, M.D. “In the face of widespread vaccine hesitancy, it is important that we are prepared to talk to our patients and families about the influenza vaccine. Don’t underestimate the importance of a simple conversation. Your patients and their families value your opinion and are relying on your recommendations regarding this year’s influenza vaccine.”

So how do you go about talking to a family about the vaccine?

SHARE is a five-part approach that health care professionals can use to communicate with patients about the importance of influenza vaccines and to enable patients to make informed decisions.

If you would like more information about talking to patients regarding the influenza vaccine please see Resources for Vaccinating Inpatients Against COVID-19 and the Flu (cookchildrens.org).*

*Note: You must be connected to the network to access this page.

As we head into the upcoming 2022-2023 flu season, we want to provide you with as much information as you talk to your parents about immunization.

“We play a critical role as providers in keeping our patients up to date on their routine childhood immunizations, including the influenza vaccine,” said Phillip Scott, M.D., a hospitalist at Cook Children’s. “In the face of widespread vaccine hesitancy, it is important that we are prepared to talk to our patients and families about the influenza vaccine. Don’t underestimate the importance of a simple conversation. Your patients and their families value your opinion and are relying on your recommendations regarding this year’s influenza vaccine.”

Information For You*

*Note: You must be connected to the network to access these pages.

• Resources for Vaccinating Inpatients Against COVID-19 and the Flu
• Comfort Menu
• Influenza Vaccination Policy
• Monitoring Flu Vaccine Orders
• Consent/Vaccine
• All Inclusive Packet- English
• All Inclusive Packet – Spanish
• Myth Busters & FAQs
• Talking about the vaccine

Vaccine Hesitancy

• Dr. Whitworth: Flu Vaccine Q&A

How to Make a Strong Influenza Vaccine Recommendation

Based on years of research into vaccine motivators, the CDC has developed a mnemonic device to help health care providers make strong vaccine recommendations. This method known as “SHARE” can help you to make a strong vaccine recommendation and provide important information to help patients make informed decisions about vaccinations.

S- SHARE why an influenza vaccine is right for the patient given their age, health status, lifestyle, occupation, or other risk factors.

“This vaccine can protect you and your family from getting sick from flu. By getting a flu vaccine today, you’ll be protecting yourself and the people around you, like your children and parents, who are more vulnerable to serious flu-illness.”

H - HIGHLIGHT positive experiences with influenza vaccines (personal or in your practice), as appropriate, to reinforce the benefits and strengthen confidence in influenza vaccination.

“In addition to recommending a yearly flu vaccine to my patients, I get one each year to protect myself and my family from flu.”

A - ADDRESS patients’ questions and any concerns about influenza vaccines, including for example, side effects, safety, and vaccine effectiveness in plain and understandable language. Acknowledge that while people who get an influenza vaccine may still get sick, there are studies to show that their illness may be less severe.

“A flu vaccine cannot cause flu infection. The most common side effects of an influenza vaccine are mild, like redness, swelling, soreness, or low-grade fever. This should go away within a few days. Flu vaccines protect against flu illness but aren’t 100% effective, so even if you get vaccinated you might still become sick with flu. It’s important to get your flu vaccine because studies show that even if you do get sick, vaccination may make your flu illness less severe.”

R - REMIND patients that influenza vaccines help protect them and their loved ones from serious influenza illness and complications.

“Flu activity is going to start to pick up, and CDC says to expect more cases in the coming months. That is why I want to make sure I help protect you and your loved ones against flu and its potentially serious complications.”

E - EXPLAIN the potential costs of getting influenza, including potential serious health effects for the patient and time lost (such as missing work or family obligations), financial costs, and potentially spreading flu to more vulnerable family and friends.

“It’s important to vaccinate your children this season because flu vaccination can reduce potential flu illnesses, doctor visits, hospitalizations, and even death. Vaccination can also keep your children from missing school, and you from missing work due to flu, and can protect those around you who are more vulnerable to potentially serious flu complications.

What we know: Fear increases a patient’s perception of pain, therefore, building rapport, quick assessment, preparation, and the use of pain management interventions are beneficial to a child’s coping.

Here are ways you can help reduce the patient’s fear and provide an emotionally safe experience:

• Build Rapport
  • Speak to both the patient and the caregiver/guardian.
  • Validate any observed fear or anxiety. 
    • “It looks like you are feeling a little bit nervous, let’s talk about what we can do to make this as easy and comfortable for you as possible.”
• Quick Assessment 
  • Ask the patient questions like “How do you typically do with shots/pokes?” or “Do you remember the last time you had a vaccine?”
  • Some patients will have developmental, behavioral, or sensory needs that need to be acknowledged before moving on. Collaborate with the family to make a plan to support the patient’s needs.
  • Based on previous experiences, decide what interventions may be helpful in order for the patient to receive the vaccine. 
    • “It sounds like last time was pretty scary for you, maybe this time would you like to try some distraction to take your mind off of it and take relaxing breaths?”
• Prepare
  • Be honest with the patient and let them know what you are going to do but also let them know they can be a part of the plan.
  • Give the patient and caregiver/guardian a job. 
    • “Your job is to hold as still as you can, you can watch or look away.” 
    • “Let me know if you don’t want to watch so I can give you a heads up before I do it.”
    • “Would you like for me to count ‘1,2,3’ or just do it?
    • “[Caregiver/Guardian], why don’t you sit right here beside [patient] to hold their hand, if they want, or just talk to them to help comfort and distract them.”
  • If the patient or guardian begins to escalate with fear or frustration, validate and de-escalate. 
    • “We need to continue to remain safe while we do this vaccine, your job is to …. And I will do everything I can to help make this as easy and comfortable as possible for you.” 
    • “It seems like your [Caregiver/Guardian] really wants for you to be safe and get this vaccine to keep your body healthy. Let’s work together to get this done.”
• Provide Pain Management and Coping Techniques
  • Comfort position
    • Allow the patient to sit up next to or in a parent’s lap, laying down is the most vulnerable position. When a child feels in control, they act in control.
  • Cold spray (aka “Elsa Spray” or “Mr. Freeze Spray”)
    • Maybe say, “This is a helper so [the patient] doesn’t have to feel the poke as much.”
    • Clean and prepare the vaccine site, spray cold spray for 4-10 seconds and administer the vaccine without delay.
  • Take relaxing breaths
    • Encourage the patient to take a breath in through their nose like they are smelling a flower and breathe out of their mouth like they are blowing out a candle.
  • Therapeutic conversation
    • “Describe your idea of a ‘perfect’ day. What would make it perfect?"
    • “If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and who would you take with you?”
    • “If you could be president for a day, what would you do?”
  • Items for distraction
    • Patient or guardian’s electronic device for listening to music, looking at pictures, etc.
    • I Spy sheet
    • Squeeze ball

Key Points:

• The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older get an influenza vaccine every year. The influenza vaccine has been shown to prevent millions of influenza illnesses, tens of thousands of hospitalizations, and thousands of deaths each year.
• Children 6 months-17 years old need an influenza vaccine.
• Millions of children get sick from seasonal influenza, thousands are hospitalized, and some children die from influenza each year.
• The influenza vaccine can be life-saving in children.
• Among reported pediatric deaths since 2004, about 80 percent of the deaths have occurred among children who were not fully vaccinated against influenza.
• Children ages 6 months to 5 years old – even those who are healthy – are at higher risk of developing serious influenza complications simply because of their age. Children of any age with certain long-term health problems, such as asthma, diabetes, or neurological and neurodevelopmental conditions, also are at higher risk for complications from influenza

Types of Flu Vaccines For Children

From the CDC:

During the current flu season, the CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older with any licensed, age-appropriate flu vaccine.

• Injectable influenza vaccines (IIV4) are given as an injection (with a needle) and are approved for use in as young people 6 months old. (Indications vary by vaccine.)
• Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV4) is given as a nasal spray and is approved for use in non-pregnant, healthy people ages 2 to 49 years old. However, there is a precaution against the use of nasal spray flu vaccine (LAIV) in people with certain underlying medical conditions. More information about the nasal spray flu vaccine can be found here.

Your child’s health care provider will know which vaccines are right for your child.

When to Vaccinate

The CDC recommends that influenza vaccination should be offered in September or October; however, vaccination should continue throughout influenza season as long as influenza viruses are circulating, even into January or later. Children and pregnant people in their third trimester can be vaccinated as soon as the influenza vaccine is available – even if this is in July or August. Adults, and especially those older than 65, should not be vaccinated early (in July or August) as immunity wanes more quickly in this age group.

Some children 6 months to 8 years of age require two doses of influenza vaccine. Children 6 months to 8 years old getting vaccinated for the first time, and those who have only previously received one dose of the vaccine, should get two doses of vaccine this season.

• The first dose should be given as soon as the vaccine becomes available.
• The second dose should be given at least 28 days after the first dose.
• The first dose “primes” the immune system; the second dose provides immune protection.
• Children who only get one dose but need two doses can have reduced or no protection from a single dose of flu vaccine.
• All children who have previously received two doses of vaccine (at any time) only need one dose of vaccine this season.

How to Make a Strong Influenza Vaccine Recommendation 

Based on years of research into vaccine motivators, the CDC has developed a mnemonic device to help health care providers make strong vaccine recommendations. This method known as “SHARE” can help you to make a strong vaccine recommendation and provide important information to help patients make informed decisions about vaccinations.

S- SHARE why an influenza vaccine is right for the patient given their age, health status, lifestyle, occupation, or other risk factors.

“This vaccine can protect you and your family from getting sick from flu. By getting a flu vaccine today, you’ll be protecting yourself and the people around you, like your children and parents, who are more vulnerable to serious flu-illness.”

H- HIGHLIGHT positive experiences with influenza vaccines (personal or in your practice), as appropriate, to reinforce the benefits and strengthen confidence in influenza vaccination.

“In addition to recommending a yearly flu vaccine to my patients, I get one each year to protect myself and my family from flu.”

A- ADDRESS patients’ questions and any concerns about influenza vaccines, including side effects, safety, and vaccine effectiveness in plain and understandable language. Acknowledge that while people who get an influenza vaccine may still get sick, there are studies to show that their illness may be less severe.

“A flu vaccine cannot cause flu infection. The most common side effects of an influenza vaccine are mild, like redness, swelling, soreness, or low-grade fever for a flu shot. This should go away within a few days. Flu vaccines protect against flu illness but aren’t 100% effective, so even if you get vaccinated you might still become sick with flu. It’s important to get your flu vaccine because studies show that even if you do get sick, vaccination may make your flu illness less severe.”

R- REMIND patients that influenza vaccines help protect them and their loved ones from serious influenza illness and complications.

“Flu activity is going to start to pick up, and CDC says to expect more cases in the coming months. That is why I want to make sure I help protect you and your loved ones against flu and its potentially serious complications.”

E - EXPLAIN the potential costs of getting influenza, including potential serious health effects for the patient and time lost (such as missing work or family obligations), financial costs, and potentially spreading flu to more vulnerable family and friends.

“It’s important to vaccinate your children this season because flu vaccination can reduce potential flu illnesses, doctor visits, hospitalizations, and even death. Vaccination can also keep your children from missing school, and you from missing work due to flu, and can protect those around you who are more vulnerable to potentially serious flu complications.

• 7 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sept. 20, Pav 1
• 7 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sept. 22, Family Meeting Center
• 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sept. 27, ROB 1102 ABC meeting rooms
• 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sept. 29, Pav 1
• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Oct. 4, 901 7^th Ave., 3^rd floor conference room
• 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Oct. 6, 901 7^th Ave., 3^rd floor conference room

Whether you receive your flu shot in your department or at one of our flu clinics, you must complete a consent form. To sign the consent form electronically through Lawson, follow these steps:

• Scroll down on the left navigation bar and click on “Employee Self Service”
• Then click “Human Resources”
• Then click “Occ Health Portal”
• Then click on “Forms” at the top of the page and click on “Influenza Vaccine Consent” to complete your form

Employees may get their flu shots at another location – from a primary care physician, or pharmacy for instance – and send proof to Occupational Health for their records. The goal? Everyone immunized by Nov. 1.

The flu is a viral infection of the respiratory tract that can cause fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, cough and sore throat, runny nose, tiredness and other symptoms. Flu shots are the best way to protect yourself against the flu.

For more information, call Occupational Health at 682-885-3837.

Whether you receive your flu shot in your department or at one of our flu shot clinics this fall, the consent form must be completed first. Consent forms in English are available through Lawson by following these steps:

• Scroll down on the left navigation bar and click on “Employee Self Service”
• Then click “Human Resources”
• Then click “Occ Health Portal”
• Then click on “Forms” at the top of the page and click on “Influenza Vaccine Consent” to complete your form

Karen Mahoney, manager of Occupational Health, said the distribution of doses will start with highest-risk areas such as Hematology/Oncology, the Emergency Department, PICU and NICU, and then to the rest of the medical center and to physician offices in the network.

Consent forms in Spanish will be available on paper at our eight on-site flu shot fairs, which begin Sept. 13. “We’ll have enough vaccine for everybody,” Karen said.

Employees may get their flu shots at another location – primary care physician or pharmacy for instance – and send proof to Occupational Health for their records. The goal? Everyone immunized by Nov. 1.

The flu is a viral infection of the respiratory tract that can cause fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, cough and sore throat, runny nose, tiredness and other symptoms. In the United States, flu season is from October to May.

“It’s the best protection we have against the strains of the flu that are currently circulating,” Karen said. “If we can get our shots every year and prevent illness, that’s a great thing for our employees and our patients.”

For more information, call Occupational Health at 682-885-3837.

 As the director of Infection Prevention and Control, Sharon’s life revolves around COVID. She issues daily reports on the number of patients and employees who have tested positive for the virus, provides advice to the Command Center and oversees the team that provides support through the COVID-19 hotline and email.  

But instead of getting a reprieve from COVID, the virus followed Sharon and her family to Galveston where she, along with other family members, tested positive for the disease.

 “We are so busy right now and we have staff members who are dealing with illness like everyone else. We are trying our best to keep up with all the phone calls and emails,” Sharon said. “Right now, we ask for your patience and kindness. We are working as fast as we can to get back to you as soon as possible.”

If you are able to find an at-home test or receive one at another location, please feel free to do so and then email the COVID-19 Center  at  COVID19OHS@cookchildrens.org with your results. 

What To Do If You Are Getting Tested

If you are showing symptoms and want to be tested at Cook Children’s, please email COVID19OHS@cookchildrens.org or call 682-303-1661. Please remember that the abbreviated number to call is ext. 31661 (not 51661). To leave a message, please provide the following information:

• Your name, employee number and department where you work.
• Your phone number for someone to call you back.
•  When and where you were exposed to the virus.
• If and when you started showing symptoms.
• If you received a home test that shows you are positive, please send a photo of the results to the email above.

 A couple of important notes to remember:

• Please copy your supervisor or inform them that you will be out if you test positive. Please don’t assume that someone will let your supervisor know you will not make your shift.
•  When you email or leave a message with your phone number, please answer any phone calls that come your way until you hear back from someone in Infection Control at Cook Children’s. Because Infection Control members are short staffed and some team members are working from home, a variety of personal phone numbers and numbers from Cook Children’s are calling staff back, so please answer your phone.

 Click here to read more on Cook Children’s “return to work policy” for those infected with the COVID-19 virus and those who have been exposed.

 Dr. Mazade praises the work of the Infectious Control and Occupational Health teams, but reminds us that we are all in this together.

 “We have to do our part to protect each other and the families under our care,” Dr. Mazade said. “With the number of cases on the rise again, we have to go back to where we were in 2020. That means wearing our masks at all times, even when we aren’t at work, washing our hands, social distancing, and most importantly getting all of us who can vaccinated and boostered. I know everyone is tired of hearing about this, but we have to continue to do the right things so we can fight this virus.”