Here are some important points you should consider as we near the end of our staff flu campaign:
1. You may have heard conflicting reports in the media and other sources about changes to the flu policy. Here is a message from our Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr Patty Daly:
- There seems to be some confusion about the Health Care Worker Influenza Policy; to clarify, the policy has NOT changed. Staff who choose not to have a flu shot are still expected to wear a procedural mask while working in patient care areas. The only change, announced on Friday November 30, is that staff who refuse to comply with the policy will not face disciplinary actions during this first year of the policy.
- Managers will continue to educate staff about the policy and remind unvaccinated staff that they should be wearing a mask while at work during flu season, which began on December 1. Managers will also monitor staff compliance. My hope is that compliance will be high, because staff and physicians understand that this policy is in place for the safety of our patients and clients. We have already seen VCH staff influenza vaccination rates higher than in any previous year, and flu shots are still available.
2. The last staff flu clinic is scheduled for Tuesday December 18. For a list of remaining staff flu clinics, use the Staff Flu Clinic Locator.
3. Even if you missed one of the staff flu clinics, you can still get immunized – go to your local pharmacy, your family physician, or your nearest community health centre. And after you’ve been immunized at one of these locations, please report it to the Flu Shot Reporting Line at 1-855-358-3580, or use this handy online form. The Flu Shot Reporting Line will be active until December 21st.
4. Thanks to our volunteers across VCH for their support of our staff flu clinics – we couldn’t do it without them!
5. You may be contacted to take part in a survey about your immunization experience. Your participation is completely voluntary and the survey is administered by a third party (not VCH) and is used for Canada-wide research purposes.