Flu Shots

As student pharmacists we are more often helping people after they get sick. However, there are areas that pharmacists can get involved to help prevent illness. One such area is vaccinations. Pharmacists can play a strong role in helping people to avoid getting diseases such as influenza, or the flu. Every year in the United States about 5-20% of the population catches the flu. On average 200,00 people are hospitalized because of complications from the flu and 36,000 people may die. The flu is an illness that can be prevented quite easily.

Getting an annual flu vaccine can greatly reduce a person’s risk of catching the flu. The vaccine can be given by two methods. The first is the shot that most people think of when they think of getting vaccinated. The shot uses an inactivated virus and is injected intramuscularly. The shot can be given to anyone over the age of 6 months. The other method is the nasal spray, or Flu Mist. This method uses a live attenuated, or weakened, virus and is simply sprayed into both nostrils of the person receiving the vaccine. Because this is a live virus, only healthy people between the ages of 2-49 should be vaccinated by this route. Also pregnant women should not receive Flu Mist.

Almost everyone should be vaccinated. However, there are certain people that we really want to make sure they get vaccinated yearly. As student pharmacists we can screen for these higher risk patients and encourage them to get vaccinated. People in this group include those over 50 years old, those with chronic diseases, people who live in nursing homes, people who are risk for complications, and anyone who lives with or works with people at risk for complications.

Whether or not you are able to administer vaccinations, you can take a great role in helping your patients stay healthy by encouraging everyone to get vaccinated. It’s a simple way to prevent catching the flu. And don’t forget to protect yourself from the flu also.


By: Amanda Abrahamsen

How to Write a Letter to your Congressman (Representative or Senator)

Step 1: Who am I writing my letter to?
Go to http://www.legis.state.ia.us/
Click on “Find Your Legislator”
Type in your home street address
The contact information for all of your legislators is listed

Step 2: How should a letter to my legislator be formatted?
You can find a letter template from APhA that will walk you through letter writing etiquette at http://www.aphanet.org/Content/NavigationMenu2/PolicyAdvocacy/APhAASPLegislativeAdvocacy/CommunicatingwithLegislators/Sample_Letter.htm
General Letter Writing Tips:
-Let your legislator know you are one of their constituents
-Tell your legislator who you are and where you are studying pharmacy
-Be straight forward and state what bill you are writing about and what action you want your legislator to take (Are you for or against the bill)
-Be polite
-Personal stories relating to the bill can be helpful in making your point
-Thank your legislator for their time
-Let your legislator know they can contact you if they have any questions regarding your position on the bill

Step 3: How do I mail my letter?
E-mail is a convenient contact method for you and your legislator
You can contact your legislator’s staff to see what communication method your legislator prefers
In the subject line of the e-mail be sure you include the name of the bill you are referring to and your hometown