Flu season ends with your help
We have received notification from the Provincial Health Officer thatfor the purposes of the influenza control policy, the 2013-2014 influenza season ended on March 31, 2014. Unvaccinated staff, physicians, volunteers and visitors can now stop wearing masks. Please help inform your colleagues that flu season is officially over.
Our highest vaccination rate
The 2013/2014 flu season marks our highest vaccination rate to date with more than 15,000 VCH staff (80.4 per cent) reporting that they were immunized for influenza, one of the highest rates in the province. This includes full time, part time and active casuals. Our Medical Staff, Physicians and Fellows (including VCH employed physicians) achieved a remarkable 88% vaccination rate – also one of the highest in the province!
Thank you for doing your part
We wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge how far we have come since the Influenza Control Program Policy was first introduced in VCH and across the province in August 2012. Over the past two years, we have doubled our vaccination rate and established a successful regional Peer Nurse Immunizer (PNI) program which has increased access to staff vaccination across VCH and provided a convenient opportunity for staff to be immunized at work.
“Thank you to the hundreds of PNIs across VCH for stepping up to the plate to immunize over 4000 staff and to the many thousands of staff and physicians who participated in this important patient safety initiative. Our annual flu campaign would not be possible without your continued participation, initiative and support,” said Dr. Patty Daly, Chief Medical Health Officer and Vice President of Public Health.
What’s next?
We will soon start planning for the 2014/2015 influenza season and incorporate lessons learned into our upcoming flu campaign. We hope to continue to build on the success of our Peer Nurse Immunizer program and collaboration with pharmacies and clinics to increase opportunities for staff to get vaccinated.
Diane Rupchand
I question what the 88% “success” rate means to employees who had the shot. It would be interesting to know how many employees wanted this vaccination vs those who had it because they did not want to be sent home without pay or wear a mask every working day for 3-4 months. This might be better described as a success rate for employers.
Patients who enter the hospital are not required to wear a mask or be vaccinated. If the policy is about protecting public health, how does this policy benefit public health without consistent parameters?
David Adam
Can you post the statistics regarding sick time off over the winter comparing vaccinated versus non vaccinated employees?
Paul Johnson
It would be more inteersting to know the efficacy of the vaccination. How many of the vaccinated people became ill anyway?
compared to how many unvaccinated peope became ill (H1N1 or not)
I remained unvaccinated, and did not become ill with flu symtoms. Will that assist with your research on the subject?
Linda Frodyma
I was not immunized and wore a mask at work. I did not get the flu. In fact, I never get the shot and I have only had the flue once in my life about 10 years ago.