Posted on Nov. 4: Campus Health Centre battles the flu

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/flu_clinic.jpg” caption=”Flu vaccination training”]It's coming. Sniffles and coughs. Aches and pains. The dreaded flu season is just around the corner, but McMaster's Campus Health Centre is armed and ready to battle this loathsome bug.

Free flu vaccination clinics will take place this week for all employees and students. Annual vaccination against the influenza virus is recommended for adults and children over the age of six months.

“We're trying to increase the health of employees because healthier employees means happier and more productive employees,” says Debra Earl, employee health education nurse. “We're trying to create a better workplace environment.”

Clinics will be held in Room 309 of the McMaster University Student Centre from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 5, 6, 13, 14 and 15. An additional clinic will be held at the Downtown Centre on Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Response to the clinics was overwhelming last year. Campus Health anticipated 800 people would arrive, but in the end, the numbers were closer to 2,000. This year they're not taking any chances.

Expecting at least 3,000 faculty, staff and students, this year the clinics will be held in a larger room, with longer hours and an increased staff so that everyone can be accommodated, says Earl. McMaster nursing students, who will help administer the vaccinations, were trained by Employee Health Services last week.

The clinics are just one way Employee Health Services is striving to keep McMaster healthy. The service, located in MUSC, Room B101, offers employee visits with the physician as well as programs for health promotion, disease prevention and maintenance of health and wellness.

Earl was hired in September due to the success of the program that began as a pilot last year. She is responsible for the health promotion programming for employees. This includes the Health Works newsletter and informative workshops offered to employees on health matters. Topics include lifestyle issues such as nutrition, stress management and smoking cessation. Specialized clinics will be held in the future for disease prevention.

Finola Foley is available for confidential employee visits Monday, Thursday and Friday. Appointments can be booked by calling ext. 23300. While Foley will see employees for concerns about acute illness, minor injury, immunizations and screening tests, she is unable to see employees for annual physical exams and ongoing medical concerns. This care is to be maintained by a family physician.

“Promoting a healthy workplace is an issue today that workplaces are striving towards,” Earl says. “We all want a healthier and more balanced workplace, physically, spiritually and mentally. It's all part of the package of a healthier work environment.”

Photo caption: Debra Earl, employee health education nurse, administers a flu vaccination to fourth-year nursing student Lisa Chadwick, who helped provide training on proper vaccination to nursing students last week. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay

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[img_inline align="right" src="http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/flu_clinic.jpg" caption="Flu vaccination training"]It&#039;s coming. Sniffles and coughs. Aches and pains. The dreaded flu season is just around the corner, but McMaster&#039;s Campus Health Centre is armed and ready to battle this loathsome bug.<p><br />
<br />
Free flu vaccination clinics will take place this week for all employees and students. Annual vaccination against the influenza virus is recommended for adults and children over the age of six months. <p><br />
<br />
"We&#039;re trying to increase the health of employees because healthier employees means happier and more productive employees," says Debra Earl, employee health education nurse. "We&#039;re trying to create a better workplace environment."<p><br />
<br />
Clinics will be held in Room 309 of the McMaster University Student Centre from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 5, 6, 13, 14 and 15. An additional clinic will be held at the Downtown Centre on Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. <p><br />
<br />
Response to the clinics was overwhelming last year. Campus Health anticipated 800 people would arrive, but in the end, the numbers were closer to 2,000. This year they&#039;re not taking any chances.<p><br />
<br />
Expecting at least 3,000 faculty, staff and students, this year the clinics will be held in a larger room, with longer hours and an increased staff so that everyone can be accommodated, says Earl. McMaster nursing students, who will help administer the vaccinations, were trained by Employee Health Services last week.<p><br />
<br />
The clinics are just one way Employee Health Services is striving to keep McMaster healthy. The service, located in MUSC, Room B101, offers employee visits with the physician as well as programs for health promotion, disease prevention and maintenance of health and wellness. <p><br />
<br />
Earl was hired in September due to the success of the program that began as a pilot last year. She is responsible for the health promotion programming for employees. This includes the Health Works newsletter and informative workshops offered to employees on health matters. Topics include lifestyle issues such as nutrition, stress management and smoking cessation. Specialized clinics will be held in the future for disease prevention.  <p><br />
<br />
Finola Foley is available for confidential employee visits Monday, Thursday and Friday.  Appointments can be booked by calling ext. 23300.  While Foley will see employees for concerns about acute illness, minor injury, immunizations and screening tests, she is unable to see employees for annual physical exams and ongoing medical concerns.  This care is to be maintained by a family physician.<p><br />
<br />
"Promoting a healthy workplace is an issue today that workplaces are striving towards," Earl says. "We all want a healthier and more balanced workplace, physically, spiritually and mentally. It&#039;s all part of the package of a healthier work environment."<p><br />
<br />
<i>Photo caption: Debra Earl, employee health education nurse, administers a flu vaccination to fourth-year nursing student Lisa Chadwick, who helped provide training on proper vaccination to nursing students last week. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay</i>

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