Lourdes Adopts Universal Flu Vaccine Program
For Immediate Release -
Monday, November 5, 2012
As a member of Ascension Health, Lourdes has decided to adopt
the Ascension Health Universal Vaccination Program beginning with
the Fall 2012 flu season. This decision reflects Lourdes'
commitment to deliver healthcare that is safe and follows the
recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Joint
Commission (JC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS).
What this means is that all health care workers at Lourdes will
be expected to participate in the program and receive the flu
vaccination. Health care workers are defined as associates,
licensed independent practitioners, advanced practice nurses and
physician assistants, adult students/trainees and volunteers,
contracted staff and vendors.
"At Lourdes we feel we have a responsibility to protect the
health of the entire community," said Robert Taylor, III, MD, Vice
President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer at Lourdes.
"By ensuring that every associate that can be vaccinated safely
receives the influenza vaccine, we will reduce the ability of the
virus to spread in our area. When someone is protected by receiving
the vaccine, they contribute to the protection of the whole
community, especially our frail and vulnerable."
Lourdes, which is one of the area's largest employers with 2,396
associates, has joined the Immunization Action Council's "Honor
Roll for Patient Safety" showing community members and patients
that the organization is participating in this important
preventative initiative (http://www.immunize.org/honor-roll/).
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by
the influenza virus. Symptoms can include fever, sore throat,
runny nose, muscle aches, cough and headache and fatigue. The
illness can be mild or severe and can last from a couple of days up
to two weeks. Individuals may be able to pass the flu to
another person before they realize they are ill. Receiving
the flu vaccine is one of the best ways to reduce transmission of
the flu to those around.
For further information about this or any
media inquiry, call Lisa Donovan, Media
Coordinator, Lourdes Public Relations, at 607-772-1274.
