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Why aren't more workers getting flu shots?

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    Dr. Manny weighs in on new study

  • Duration 5:29
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Now the flu has not.

-- a panic stage yet but that doesn't mean that states aren't starting to worry that it might.

Massachusetts is not reporting at least eighteen flu related deaths is winner and boss of the largest city there already declaring a public health emergency -- is not a lot.

With the very latest on the -- of medical center economic.

Hi Danielle there been 700 people that have been diagnosed to have the flu confirmed here in Boston that is up.

Great deal over the last you're at this time when they were just seventy people that have been diagnosed.

So the authorities have gotten together and Boston's mayor and the health officials -- -- declare this a public health emergency in urging people to get their flu shots and take precautions.

And they are hoping to put a stop this in in -- in its tracks because it is.

Causing quite an overloaded area emergency rooms and hospitals there have been eighteen deaths statewide.

Four of those deaths occurred here in Boston.

That compared to just one death here in the city last year.

Officials with the Boston health commission also say that this is a particularly.

Tough strain of the flu.

The type a H three viruses.

Are associated with more severe illness.

With influenza seasons that start earlier.

And that -- go on a little bit longer and involve more people.

So -- be a bit tougher for folks that actually come down with this strain of the flu fortunately the CDC saying.

That the flu shot that is out and available right now here in the city of Boston does cover that strains they're encouraging.

People here in the city to go out and get that.

It is a tough situation physically and some neighbor resident hit harder than others -- not a pandora Chester these are areas that are my dorm at predominantly minority populations.

And also folks that are lower on the poverty line which means they're less likely take it day after work to get better and more likely to spread to their co workers -- Molly thank you very much so why is this particular flu is spreading so quickly and maybe.

It's not just one -- -- -- it could be your colleagues.

But there's still coming -- to work.

Even when they're very -- a new study shows that employees are hesitant to call out -- -- -- For fear of losing their jobs Dr.

Manny says do not be an idiot if you're sick stay home.

That's exactly what I say and and looked hotter as the fruit -- the flu spread through people.

If you have people that do not think the flu shot you've basically become a vector for the flu is not that the flu is sort of you know it's -- -- the air and everybody's breathing the same air.

Well right now we have perhaps 50% compliance.

-- on this and the beginning of the -- you show that the you know the panic and all that you know is a panic in the hospitals we have had emergency meetings are ready in my particular hospital.

Because we have to encourage everybody to take more flu shots.

But but not everyone takes the flu shot well it's -- -- -- well you know that bit about about sixty to 70% efficacy rate.

There are people that means of thirty to 40% -- -- government that's been the argument is statistically is very good to take especially this year because is a perfect match what happens the majority of 40% for -- it doesn't.

Well they might get a milder case.

They might still getting -- case of the flu there might be another strain -- which is not -- don't get it could be another strain that you know inadvertently is also present but for the most part you have to go with the statistics.

And the statistics show that this H three -- two.

You know influenza -- is that this did the perfect match that has seen more frequently in hospitals has been cultivated.

And we know that the flu vaccine this particular season is very effective the problem is that this is gigantic.

Unexplainable.

-- As to why people don't take the flu shot they think that they gonna get the flow which is not true this is a dead virus they think that they going to I don't know stop.

Walking to arms are gonna blow -- All of that is true -- that it had not gotten your -- O'Donnell.

What but still don't know -- those are -- -- money should brush up on a little medical facts although there's no medical -- I'm telling you this is a fact the fact of the fact that -- a lot of guys saw the movie outbreak I know what -- -- -- -- happened that -- -- doesn't exactly -- point this is why we have to tell people.

If you want to stop did the flu season from happening the way that is developing.

Get the flu shot is still talking a lot of folks that I can say -- very nervous and I don't work when when when.

We're not -- Well people do come into it look and when you work when you look at the financial aspect of people of companies -- -- about billions of dollars most likely that's gonna.

-- they gonna lose and productivity.

It's a tremendous amount and I personally think that a lot of companies don't do a good job.

In in bringing the flu vaccine to their workers or making you know they may bring it one or they put to fear god and of course -- it goes in all but you know a lot of companies.

If you start taking statistics and I think companies I think this particularly and I wrote about this.

You know if your company and if -- a company owner take a statistics find out how many of your employees to -- flu shot and how many people call politics for the flu.

And what it cost -- at the end of the we have employees no one here by the way -- the now given and so -- tomorrow.

Right exactly I say no matter how much Iraqi Richard -- -- -- -- -- -- Absolutely not see exactly what I'm sorry about seeing you on the spreader of India globe I discredit many many.

Well you might have a future in this so medical -- you keep it keep working with a that would it is the thank you there -- a doctor Manny Alvarez he knows of what he's --