Chances are, Patient Zero is in one of your classrooms right now.
You know, Patient Zero: the first child or client in your facility to contract the flu. The one who will likely unknowingly give it to others — and to your staff.
The one who could even die, because flu can and does kill people, especially children.
The fact is, flu is more than just a bad cold or fever. In fact, it’s the leading cause of death and illness from a vaccine-preventable disease in the United States. According to the CDC:
Children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially before they turn 5 years old.
Severe influenza complications are most common in children younger than 2 years old.
Annually, an average of 20,000 children under 5 are hospitalized because of flu complications.
Flu causes 38 million lost school days and 111 million lost workdays a year, resulting in more than $7 billion in lost wages.
The median age of children who died from the flu virus from Jan. 2014-June 2015 was 5.9 years old.
Keeping your staff healthy is the best way to keep your children — and their parents — happy and healthy as well. By encouraging your staff members to get a flu vaccine, you’re ensuring that they’re able to work and provide for their families, while also protecting those in your care from potentially getting the flu.
Child care providers can support influenza vaccination in their program by:
Checking influenza vaccination records regularly to ensure each child in their care is up to date on their vaccinations.
Educating staff and ensuring that all staff receive their flu vaccine each season.
Educating parents in their program and helping connect them to credible resources.
Take steps TODAY to help you prepare:
Get your flu vaccine by the end of October, if possible, and encourage all staff, children, and parents to get the flu vaccine. Everyone needs a flu vaccine each year!
Examine and revise your program’s written plan for seasonal flu.
Invite a pediatrician or other healthcare professional to provide influenza prevention education to your staff.
Use posters and handouts to educate caregivers and staff about influenza.
Update family contact information and child records, so parents can be reached quickly if they need to pick up their sick child.
Below are materials for use within your organization:
Newsletter articles
Download the “Ready Wrigley Prepares for Flu Season” Coloring Books
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