This company wide email was just sent out. What do you think?
SUBJECT Voluntary distribution of antiviral drugs SOURCE XXXXX
DATE Dec. 10, 2012
Please share this message with your employees.
This message is intended for internal company use only.
Antiviral drugs are part of the XXXX Energy Pandemic Plan. Vaccine is the best preventative for virus infections, because it provides longer term immunity but may not be available during a pandemic of a new virus.
What are antiviral drugs?
Antivirals are like antibiotics, as they work during the time they are being taken but do not prevent future illness. Current antiviral medications block the virus from replicating and multiplying in your cells and reduce the severity and length of the infection. Government agencies and critical infrastructure like utilities have stockpiled antiviral doses to ensure we can keep core functions operational during a severe pandemic re: recommendations by the U.S. Dept. of Health. The drug XXXX Energy chose is Relenza, which works on all H family respiratory viruses.
Why distribute now?
Because “just in time” distribution of stockpile doses may be difficult during a severe pandemic when medical workers are overwhelmed, XXXX is beginning a voluntary antiviral distribution program of doses to employees.
Distribution to XXXX employees who request doses will begin in December 2012, and XXXX requests will be processed beginning first quarter 2013.
To request the antiviral Relenza
Here are the steps to requesting the antiviral drug:
1. Fill out the Request and Consent form available on XXXX.
2. In addition, under current US drug (DEA) law, the employee must also have a prescription. Our recommendation to employees is to take the Antiviral Physician Letter written by our contract physician on the Emergency Preparedness website to your personal physician and request a prescription.
3. When you have your prescription, submit it and the Request form by company mail to XXXX.
Note: If your physician does not want to prescribe or you’d rather request a prescription from our contract physician for your dose of Relenza, you will need to fill out a Health History form (on Emergency Preparedness page above, see link to the right) with information pertaining to this drug only, and submit it with the Request form by company mail to XXXX.
4. After our contract physician reviews your Request and prescription (if you obtained from your doctor) or your Health History form, if you did not go through your doctor, a prescription will be written for your dose and it will be mailed to you.
Doses will come with storage instructions, background on the drug, and a copy of the request form with company instructions. Records will be kept per law.
The decision to request a dose of the antiviral Relenza from our company stockpile is voluntary. Employees may decide instead to rely on receiving a dose from the stockpile during a severe pandemic when needed. For additional questions contact
I guess it depends on your risk level in your area/at your company.
DH works for a flu vaccine company. When H1N1 was rampant, they gave out Tamiflu (I think?) free to all employees. We had some in the house just in case.
is there supposed to be a severe outbreak this season? it would be nice if we could give it to the girls, but I don't think my job places me at a higher risk than most people.
is there supposed to be a severe outbreak this season? it would be nice if we could give it to the girls, but I don't think my job places me at a higher risk than most people.
According to the flu shot clinic at my doctor's office, they've had a lot of confirmed cases earlier than normal.
If they're offering it for free, I'd probably take it. Assuming there isn't some limited supply.
Post by tripleshot on Dec 10, 2012 18:48:16 GMT -5
Yes, when h1n1 was prevalent, my company gave tamiflu to each employee and their spouses and kids to keep at home. Then if we got sick (DH and DS did) you got your doctors permission to take it.