HJAR Nov/Dec 2020

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS I  NOV / DEC 2020 41 Jennifer Dillaha, MD State Epidemiologist and Medical Director for Immunizations and Outbreak Response Arkansas Department of Health have a contraindication. We are particularly encouraging school-age children and working-age adults to get the flu vaccine to help prevent the spread of flu in schools and in the workplace. With flu symptoms similar to those of COVID-19, this will help lower confusion regarding symptoms and the possible need for isolation and quarantine, which will help reduce stress for everyone as we head into the holiday season. This year’s flu vaccine, which is offered via a shot usually in the arm or in a nasal spray form, covers four different flu strains. The vaccine has been adjusted to better match the types of flu that experts expect to circulate in the United States this flu season. Healthcare providers should make a strong recommendation for their patients to get vaccinated. The ADH offers the flu vaccine at all local health units at no cost to the patient. They will be asked to provide an insurance card if they have one. Many healthcare providers and pharmacies also provide the flu vaccine. Healthcare providers are encouraged to track their patients’ flu vaccination status by checking Arkansas’ WebIZ, the state immunization information system. Historically, about half of the people in Arkansas eligible to get the flu vaccine get one. The age group with the lowest vaccination rates are working-age adults who are 18 to 64 years old. Still, Arkansas generally does well in providing access to the flu vaccine because of the number of mass clinics and school clinics offered. School clinics are underway this year. However, mass clinics are not being offered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ADH is instead offering drive-thru clinics and walk-in clinics through local health units. TheADH is partnering with ImmunizeAR to provide training for clinics and pharmacies that want to offer drive-thru flu vaccinations as well. The training is to help community partners adapt their vaccination strategies or processes. Another step you can take is to help prevent the spread of germs. Practice physical distancing by keeping at least 6 feet between you and others. Wear a face covering when around people who do not live with you—especially when physical distancing is not possible. Other actions you can take include the following: • Wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer. • Don’t touch your eyes, nose andmouth with unwashed hands. • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. • Stay home when you are sick. • Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands. • Cough and sneeze into your elbow instead of your hand when a tissue is not available. • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with a regular household cleaning spray or wipes. • Avoid shaking hands. Healthcare providers can also lower the risk of spread by: • Providing patients and family members with masks as soon as they enter the clinic or waiting area. • Screening staff and volunteers for symptoms when they arrive at work. • Making sure staff follow infection prevention and control procedures, including proper use of PPE, hand hygiene and cleaning rooms between patients. • Ensuring physical distancing practices among staff in break rooms, not just in clinic areas with patients. • Using electronic communications as much as possible to reduce crowding in waiting areas. The ADH is here as a resource to help all Arkansans. More information may be found at https://www.healthy.arkansas . gov/programs-services/topics/influenza or https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/ prog r ams - se r v i ces / t op i cs /nove l - coronavirus. n Jennifer Dillaha, MD, is the state epidemiologist and medical director for Immunizations and Outbreak Response at the Arkansas Department of Health. Dillaha’s previous roles at ADH include special advi- sor for Strategic Initiatives in the Office of the Direc- tor fromJune 2010 to April 2013 and director of the Center for HealthAdvancement fromAugust 2005 to June 2010.Prior to joiningADH in 2001,she received a medical degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1994, followed by specialty training in internal medicine and subspecialty train- ing in infectious diseases and in geriatric medicine.