Majority of Australians risk colleagues' health to meet work deadlines
ISG launches its 2012 flu awareness campaign
15 March 2012: With the 2012 flu vaccination available from today, an Influenza Specialist Group (ISG) survey has revealed an alarming 90 per cent of Australians have risked the health of their colleagues by going to work sick because they don’t want to let them down or miss deadlines.
The national survey examined attitudes towards presenteeism - the phenomenon where employees turn up to work when sick – and looked at Australians’ flu etiquette.
Results revealed that while Australians are becoming increasingly frustrated and annoyed when people go about their day to day activities while sick, they are reluctant to practice flu etiquette themselves with 70 per cent confessing to have participated in social activities despite having flu symptoms.
ISG Chairman Dr Alan Hampson said the fact so many Australians are going to work sick is even more of a reason to get vaccinated now as flu can hit in Autumn.
“People need to get vaccinated now – it could save their lives and will ensure they are protected when others bring the infection into their workplaces or social environment,” he said.
University of Sydney immunisation expert, Professor Robert Booy said presenteeism was a major concern, especially for people who are at high risk.
“The influenza virus is more likely to have severe consequences for pregnant women, those aged over 65, people with underlying medical conditions and Indigenous Australians,” he said.
Read the full media release here: 
2012_isg_media_release.pdf
Visit: FluSmart.org.au
Last Updated (Thursday, 15 March 2012 08:00)
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Dr Rodney Pearce, AM
Dr Pearce is a Director of the Influenza Specialist Group, and a General Practitioner (based in Adelaide). He is Chair of the Adelaide Central-Eastern Division of General Practice, and Director of the Central Adelaide and Hills Medicare Local. He is a member of ATAGI (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization), and a member of the Federal Health Advisory Committee, National Primary Health Care Strategy, Department of Health and Ageing, since 2008. He has been a director of the Australian General Practice Network, Chair of the Council of General Practice, Australian Medical Association, and has been a member of the Public Health Committee since 1978. He is currently a Director of the Australian General Practice Accreditation/Quality in Practice, and a Fellow of the Australian Medical Association. His fellow ISG members and Directors congratulate him on achieving this well-deserved recognition. Influenza Vaccine Composition 2012Southern Hemisphere/AustraliaThe formulation of influenza vaccines for use in Australia is determined each year by the Australian Influenza Vaccine Committee based on information and recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO).
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