Mayor Menino Announces Boston Influenza Preparedness Summit
City Employees to Receive Two Hours Off for Influenza Vaccination
Today, Mayor Thomas M. Menino joined Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission and Dr. Anita Barry, Bureau Director of Infectious Disease, to announce the Boston Influenza Preparedness Summit on Friday, August 21st. As part of the announcement, Mayor Menino said that all city employees will be provided two hours of paid time off to receive vaccination to help reduce the impact of influenza.
“Many City employees will be on the frontlines of the efforts to prevent an outbreak, that’s why today, I’m announcing that we are giving employees paid time off to get vaccinated,” said Mayor Menino. “This will not only benefit the key personnel, like teachers and public safety officials, but also the thousands of city employees living in our neighborhoods. I urge all city employees to help us during this flu season by taking advantage of this opportunity.”
There is no vaccination yet available for the H1N1 virus, however, city public health officials encourage everyone to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu. Other prevention methods include regular hand washing, coughing and sneezing into a tissue or sleeve, staying home if you’re sick, and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
“It is important that everyone get vaccinated against seasonal flu and to take other precautions as well,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “It’s the little things that we can all do on a regular basis as a community – like hand washing – that can go a long way toward preventing illness.”
The Summit will allow for the formation of a coordinated and integrated response to the threat of influenza outbreak in Boston. Planning partners from various sectors, including education, healthcare, business, religious and community-based organizations will join city and state officials to hear the latest situational update on seasonal and H1N1 influenza, review lessons learned from the spring novel H1N1 outbreak and exchange ideas to prevent and control influenza.
“It is absolutely essential that we be prepared, that we work together and that we are helpful and responsive to the residents of Boston,” said Mayor Menino of the Summit. “I’ve asked everyone to come together – businesses, hospitals, schools, health care institutions, and religious and community organizations – and sit down with our public health officials to discuss plans to contain and respond to the flu this fall.”
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