More answers to common flu questions
As promised, we will regularly post answers to your common questions which we continue to receive in our flu prevention mailbox. Thank you for taking time to send your questions and demonstrating your participation in this important patient safety initiative. And a big thank you for helping us achieve a total of 5, 213 vaccinations this early in the flu campaign. This is well above where we were same time last year. Congratulations!
1. When do non-immunized staff need to start wearing masks?
The Provincial Health Officer (Dr. Perry Kendall) has declared December 2nd, 2013 as the start of the flu season, and as of that date, unvaccinated staff must begin wearing their masks when in a patient care area.
2. What evidence is available to support the effectiveness of influenza vaccination?
The BC Centre for Disease Control recently released a discussion of the evidence paper supporting the enhanced influenza protection policy. If you have still not made a decision as to whether you will be immunized or wear a mask, you may review this paper to assist you in making an informed decision. More information is also available on the immunizebc website.
The paper concludes the following:
“Based on current evidence, patient safety would be best ensured by requiring healthcare providers to be vaccinated if they provide care during periods of influenza activity. However, if healthcare workers are unvaccinated, wearing masks almost certainly provides some degree of protection to their patients.”
3. Are flu shots free at doctors’ offices and pharmacies?
Yes, flu shots are free at doctors’ offices and pharmacies for all Health Care Providers. All you have to do is inform them that you are a VCH employee (no VCH ID required) and bring your care card with you.
4. Do direct care staff who are not immunized need to have a prescription for Tamiflu on record now?
Yes, direct care staff who are not immunized require a 7-day prescription for Tamiflu (anti-viral medication) on record at any 24/7 pharmacy at the beginning of influenza season (October) as per the VCH Outbreak Policy. The prescription for Tamiflu should be: 75mg, PO, OD, X 7 days. The prescription is to be registered “On-hold” with a 24-hour pharmacy; preferably located near their place of employment to ensure rapid access to the medication should direct care staff be directed to take the medication by the OHNP/MHO.
5. Are employees expected to inform visitors of the influenza control policy and monitor compliance? If not, who is doing this?
Managers and staff are not expected to monitor visitors to comply with the Influenza Control Policy but any support and encouragement you provide helps protect our vulnerable patients. We recognize this is the first year the policy is being applied to visitors so the communication is focused on education and we will be operating on the honour system, much like hand-washing. We hope that people will want to protect their loved ones and will get their flu shot or wear a mask. To get the word out about the policy to the public, we’ve held several media events including one with Minister Terry Lake and Dr Perry Kendall last week at VGH. You will now start seeing visitor posters around our facilities and we have the information on our website: http://www.vch.ca.
Other questions?
Email your questions to VCHHCWFluPrevention@vch.ca so we can share the answers with everyone.
Important: please report your immunization online at: influenzareporting.phsa.ca – accessible from any computer at home or work. This will ensure you are recorded as immunized in the event of an outbreak and on the weekly reports being sent to your manager.
Related links:
- It just makes sense
- Check the flu immunization locator for a location near you.
Sources: BC Centre for Disease Control; BC Influenza Prevention Policy: a discussion of the evidence: 2013