Mazyck, executive director for the National Association of School Nurses, is pushing parents to check whether their families are up to date on all their inoculations, including flu vaccinations, as the holiday season approaches. Located in Silver Spring, the NASN is an advocacy group for student health and professional development of school nurses. Why is this message important now?
We’re encouraging parents and school staff to take advantage of the holiday break to check with their health care providers to make sure they are up to date with their vaccinations. With the time of year we are in especially, where there are people traveling, gathering, handshaking, touching doorknobs, it’s just a perfect time to remind people to get vaccinated. Those vacations are for children, but they’re also for adults. If people already have the flu they need to make sure they stay at home and get well.
Why does there seem to be an aversion to flu vaccines?
Some folks, they may feel like they don’t have a need to. But as we know, flu season is not fully up and running. January and February are often the peak months. We’re all busy and this is just a good time to be reminded to look out for yourself and have a leg up on health as far as vaccine-preventable diseases. We do know its spread from people coughing and sneezing, so we really want to guard against them and make sure the flu vaccine is taken.
Why are school nurses so involved in this cause?
One thing I think is important to our association is that school nurses serve as resources. Asking parents and school staff to check with school nurses to make sure the family is doing everything they can do to stay healthy during this holiday season when we’re gathering together is a great idea.
— Steve Contorno
