Dear Friends and Colleagues:
Summer might not be officially over yet, but it is never too early to start thinking about flu season.
The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that can cause mild to severe illness, and sometimes even death. According to the New York State Department of Health’s influenza fact sheet, each year in the United States as many as 20% of the population gets the flu. On average, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and more than 23,000 people die.
While everyone is at risk of getting the flu, individuals with chronic illnesses like diabetes or heart problems are among those at greatest risk of complications. Other groups at high risk include people under the age of two or over the age of 65, those with physical and developmental disabilities, and individuals residing in congregate settings—like group homes.
While getting the vaccine and following good hygiene practices does not provide a 100% guarantee you won’t get the flu, these are the best things we can do to protect ourselves, our families, our communities, and the people we serve.
It takes about two weeks for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza, and the flu season can begin as early as October. That’s why the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that we all get vaccinated as early as possible. The people we support receive their annual flu vaccine from their health care providers. OPWDD, through its DDSOOs, offers the flu vaccine to all of our employees.
Sincerely,
Commissioner Burke
P.S. Communication is critical to our collective success, and OPWDD’s Facebook page is a great place for individuals, family members, employees, advocates, and other stakeholders to exchange thoughts and ideas. Please feel free to join the conversation.