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Dr. Lisa Maragakis, senior director of Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Control for the Johns Hopkins Health System and the hospital epidemiologist at The Johns Hopkins Hospital

We're right in the middle of flu season, and as of last month, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that fewer than half of all Americans had gotten the flu vaccine.

Said the CDC: “Forgoing vaccination leaves people vulnerable to getting flu and spreading it to other people, including people who are at high risk of serious flu illness like pregnant women, older people, and people with certain chronic health conditions like asthma or diabetes.”

Indeed, the workplace is one area to remain vigilant about protecting people from the flu, as it's one of the key places where the flu can spread. Reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: “Doctors suspect the workplace ranks among the biggest culprits in spreading the vir

us, which often peaks by February in Western Pennsylvania. Nausea and other symptoms force Americans to take nearly 111 million sick days a year, contributing to about $7 billion in productivity lost to the annual flu season, federal data show.”

For any holdouts — or anyone looking to advance flu protection within the workplace — News Medical Life Sciences & Medicine offers a useful interview with Dr. Lisa Maragakis, senior director of Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Control for the Johns Hopkins Health System and the hospital epidemiologist at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Among the important questions addressed:

• How does the flu vaccine work?
• How long does it take to develop antibodies against influenza after you’ve received the vaccine?
• What should people consider when deciding whether to get the flu vaccine?
• What common myths and misconceptions would you like to dispel about the flu vaccines?