The CERN Medical Service is running its annual flu vaccination campaign during the month of October. Vaccination is free of charge to anyone working on the CERN site.
Vaccination is taking place at various locations on the Meyrin and Prévessin sites, as well as at the ATLAS, CMS, ALICE and LHCb sites, from 4 to 29 October from 8.30 a.m. to 12.20 p.m. and 1.30 to 4.20 p.m., within the limits of available vaccine stocks and with an appointment.
Influenza – or flu, as it is more commonly known – is a viral disease family that generates a respiratory illness. The virus attacks with more intensity during the winter months, so now is the time to act to reduce the chances of getting infected and severely ill.
The virus travels in the air in droplets when someone who is infected coughs, sneezes or talks. You can catch the virus by inhaling it or touching a contaminated object. People infected with the virus are most likely to infect others on the day before the first symptoms appear and for five days after they start.
To prevent the transmission of the flu virus, following the current COVID-19 guidelines is an excellent start: self-isolating and staying at home when unwell, using a mask and regular handwashing. In addition, it is important to consider the protective effects of getting the annual flu vaccination. Besides minimising the risk of infection and the risk of possible complications in high-risk groups, the flu vaccine also helps to prevent the spread of the virus.
To facilitate the organisation of the vaccination campaign and ensure that health and safety measures are followed, it is important to come at the exact time that you have been allocated. In the event that you cannot make your appointment, please cancel it directly in the PLAMED portal.
For people who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19 or are eligible for a booster shot, it is possible to have the flu and COVID-19 vaccinations at the same time at CERN’s COVID-19 vaccination centre, which has just opened. More details are available at https://hse.cern/content/covid-19-vaccination. In case of questions, please contact the CERN Medical Service.