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McMeen Elementary
Weekly Message from the McMeen Nurse
09/21/22, 3:44 PM
Good Afternoon McMeen Families,
For this week's topic, I thought it would be best to share some information about the upcoming influenza (flu) season and encourage everyone to get their flu shots this fall. (Flu shots are recommended for anyone 6 months of age or older who has not otherwise been advised to not receive the shot.)
Flu season is expected to arrive earlier than normal this year. While there are many factors that play into this expectation, one factor is most likely related to the changes in our societal behaviors over the past couple years. Now that many mask requirements have been lifted, communicable diseases such as influenza and the common cold are likely to spread faster than when we were wearing masks more often.
Some facts about the flu vaccine:
1. Even thought the flu vaccine is not always able to keep individuals from contracting the flu, it can still help in keeping the severity of the infection low.
2. Many people feel like they end up getting the flu from the flu vaccine. This is impossible. The flu vaccine does not have a "live" virus in the ingredients. The reasons for feeling ill after getting the flu shot can be many, but may be because of the natural immune response to the vaccine (the immune system is doing it's job by identifying the vaccine) or the individual may have already been infected with the flu before the shot was given.
Receiving the flu shot each year, helps not only keep us and our children healthy, but also helps keep all of our community members that are at higher risk of serious flu infections safe.
Please keep in mind, the Denver Health School Based Clinics in some DPS schools are FREE for ALL DPS students. If you are interested in scheduling your student for a flu shot with a school based clinic, you can find more information here.
To read more about the flu, you can visit the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment information page here.
Thank you all and Be Well!
Nurse Miriam
