Determined to Dodge the Flu, Local Dairy Farm Offers Flu Shots to Workers
Getting an annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. And there’s no doubt, Green Valley Dairy of Shawano County is doing their part.
Earlier this week, Rural Health Initiative Outreach Health Coordinator Dawn Dingeldein (pictured below: middle) traveled to Green Valley Dairy to administer flu shots to workers and management. Along with her were two medical students—Brent (pictured below: left) and Alec (pictured below: right)—from Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) – Green Bay campus.
Flu Vaccinations Facts
- It takes about two weeks after vaccination for the body’s immune response to fully respond and for you to be protected so make plans to get vaccinated.
- In addition to the Rural Health Initiative, flu vaccines are offered by the many doctor’s offices, clinics, health departments, pharmacies and college health centers, as well as by many employers, and even by some schools.
- Common flu symptoms include some, or all, of the following: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills, fatigue and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.
Farm Management Encouraged to Offer Flu Shots to Workers
The Rural Health Initiative urges management of local farms, especially those with employees, to encourage their staff to get a flu vaccination. With the help of the Rural Health Initiative, it’s easy to do! Our trained health care professionals can travel directly to the farm or agribusiness, practically eliminating the need for workers to take time away from work. No missed shifts. No need to travel to town. Our staff will help coordinate the details, paperwork, and even provide an interpreter (if needed).
Ultimately, flu vaccinations can help keep workers healthy and safe during this year’s flu season.
More About In(FLU)enza
Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. The more people who get vaccinated, the more people will be protected from flu, including older people, very young children, pregnant women, and people with certain long-term health conditions who are more vulnerable to serious flu complications.
Influenza viruses usually infect the respiratory tract (i.e., the airways of the nose, throat and lungs). As the infection increases, the body’s immune system responds to fight the virus infection. This results in inflammation that can trigger respiratory symptoms such as cough and sore throat. The immune system response can also trigger fever and cause muscle or body aches. , When infected persons cough, they can spread influenza viruses in respiratory droplets to someone next to them; persons can also become infected through contact with infectious secretions or contaminated surfaces. Most people who become sick will recover in a few days to less than two weeks but some people may become more severely ill. Following flu infection, secondary ear and sinus infections can occur. For example, some people may develop pneumonia. This can happen to anyone, but may be more likely to happen to people who have certain chronic medical conditions, or in elderly persons.
(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC))