Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, FAA is
President of the American Nursing
Association since 2018. He also
serves as adjunct faculty for the
University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill School of Nursing.
Gary Barg: Dr. Grant, tell me about the
work of the ANA. We caregivers can't do
anything for our loved ones without the
partnership with nurses, and we know it,
and we appreciate all you do.
Dr. Ernest Grant: The ANA represents the interest of the nation's
4.3 million registered nurses and we're celebrating our 125th
anniversary this year.
Gary Barg: Can you tell me about the new Flu Shot Friday
campaign? Well, why is it important for patients, caregivers, and
nurses?
Dr. Ernest Grant: This is a a campaign to bring about awareness
to everyone about the importance of getting vaccinated, especially
for those people who are 50 years of age and older. The idea is
to help help prevent the flu, and flu-related complications, and we
know that people, older adults especially, but people who may
have immunosuppressed systems are especially vulnerable.
Gary Barg: Should people over 50 years old and those with
chronic health conditions make sure they receive the flu shot given
that we are still in the middle of pandemic?
Dr. Ernest Grant: Absolutely, you can get both the flu shot, and
your COVID vaccine if you haven't gotten your booster, especially
for the older adults, or those who are vulnerable. You can get those
together unless there's some unknown reason depending on your
specific state of health. But the CDC is recommending that you can
get both the flu shot and a COVID shot at the same time.
Gary Barg: It seems as family caregivers who take on the
responsibility for our loved ones, it's incredibly important for us not
to take ourselves out of the circle of care. And when we get the flu
shot for our loved ones, we make sure that we get it too.
Dr. Ernest Grant: Absolutely, that way you are ensuring that
you're reducing the possibility of community spread within the
household. Because you want to try to build up as much of a wall of
protection as best you can.
Gary Barg: Because last year was a relatively mild flu season,
that means this one might be even worse.
Dr. Ernest Grant: Just because we had a mild season last year,
we don't want to let our guard down. One of the reasons why the flu
was not as prevalent last year, was that we stayed home. Everyone
was vigorously wearing their mask, washing their hands and social
distancing. Now people are out doing a lot of things that they
missed doing. As a result of that, we can anticipate that this year,
there will be a significant flu campaign.