Influenza Prevention During Holiday Periods

Date: 2025-12-18

Duration: [DURATION] minutes

Presenter: [PRESENTER NAME]

Location: [LOCATION]

Objective

To provide safety guidelines and preventative measures for influenza transmission during holiday periods, emphasizing vaccination and hygiene practices.

Introduction

Influenza, commonly known as "the flu", is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses. It can lead to severe illness and life-threatening complications, especially during the holiday season when people gather more frequently. [3]

Key Points

• Importance of Vaccination: Annual vaccination is the most effective method to prevent influenza. It is highly recommended for all Canadians older than six months. Vaccination is especially crucial for those at higher risk of hospitalization, including adults, pregnant women, children with chronic conditions, residents of long-term care facilities, people over 65, and individuals with health conditions like diabetes, cancer, or obesity. [4] [1]
• Hygiene Practices: Prevent the transmission of influenza by washing hands frequently, especially after contact with respiratory droplets or contaminated objects. Cover your mouth and nose with your arm when coughing or sneezing, use tissues to contain respiratory droplets, avoid touching your face, and regularly clean commonly touched surfaces with household cleaners and disinfectants. [1]
• Staying Home When Sick: If you think you are sick, it is important to stay home to prevent the spread of influenza to others. This is a critical step in reducing transmission, especially in workplace settings. [1]
• Business Preparedness: Workplaces should prepare a plan that allows for normal business operations to continue even when many people are sick or absent. Plans should account for approximately one quarter to one third of employees being absent during a pandemic, and should consider measures such as physical distancing, hand hygiene, and travel restrictions. [2] [2] [2]

Hazard Identification

• Close Contact: Increased risk of transmission due to proximity to infected individuals, especially during holiday gatherings. (Risk: High)
• Contaminated Surfaces: Indirect transmission of the virus by touching surfaces contaminated with respiratory droplets and then touching the face. (Risk: Medium)
• Lack of Vaccination: Increased susceptibility to influenza infection and potential for severe illness and complications. (Risk: High)
• Poor Hygiene Practices: Failure to wash hands or cover coughs/sneezes can lead to rapid spread of the virus. (Risk: Medium)

Control Measures

• Encourage Vaccination: Promote and facilitate annual flu vaccinations for all employees and their families. Provide information on the benefits of vaccination and where to access it. [4]
• Implement Strict Hygiene Protocols: Ensure readily available hand sanitizers, encourage frequent hand washing, and provide tissues and covered trash receptacles. Post reminders about proper hand washing and cough/sneeze etiquette. [1]
• Regular Cleaning and Disinfection: Increase the frequency of cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, and shared equipment. Use appropriate household cleaners and disinfectants. [1]
• Stay Home When Sick Policy: Reinforce the importance of staying home when sick and provide flexible sick leave policies to support this. Encourage employees to self-monitor for symptoms and seek medical advice when needed. [1]

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements

• Hand Sanitizer: Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available. Apply to all surfaces of the hands and rub until dry.

Group Discussion

Discuss the following questions:

1. What are some challenges you face in practicing good hygiene during the holiday season?
2. How can we better support each other in preventing the spread of influenza at work?
3. What are some strategies to encourage vaccination within our team or family?

Emergency Procedures

1. If you experience flu-like symptoms, stay home and avoid close contact with others.
2. Seek medical advice if symptoms worsen or if you are at high risk of complications.
3. Follow public health guidelines and recommendations for testing and treatment.

Summary

Recap of main points:

• Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza. [4]
• Good hygiene practices, such as frequent hand washing and covering coughs, are crucial in reducing transmission. [1]
• Staying home when sick is essential to prevent the spread of influenza to others. [1]
• Workplaces should have plans in place to maintain operations during periods of widespread illness. [2]

Action Items

Specific actions participants should take:

1. Get your annual flu shot.
2. Practice diligent hand hygiene.
3. Stay home if you feel unwell.
4. Clean and disinfect shared surfaces regularly.

Report all hazards, near-misses, and incidents to your supervisor immediately.

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