Health Minister Terry Lake visited Lions Gate Hospital this week and held a media event during his visit to provide an overview of the 2013/14 influenza season – which marks our highest vaccination rate to date at VCH with more than 15,000 VCH staff (80.4 per cent) and 88 percent of Medical Staff, Physicians and Fellows (including VCH employed physicians) reporting that they were immunized for influenza.

“I want to personally thank Dr. Perry Kendall and the public health officials at the BC Centre for Disease Control, along with the health authorities, for their professionalism and expert guidance during this busy influenza season,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “I also know that health-care providers made an extraordinary effort to protect their patients by getting vaccinated or wearing a mask, which is appreciated by all British Columbians” (Ministry of Health News Release, April 23, 2014).

More record breaking numbers

The 2013/14 influenza season also sets records for highest number of vaccine doses (1.4 million) distributed throughout BC. In addition, “this year’s vaccine was 74% effective in protecting vaccinated British Columbians against the most predominant H1N1 strain” (BC Centre for Disease Control, 2014). This high rate of protection reflects the great work done by the World Health Organization in tracking influenza strains and ensuring the vaccine provides the best possible protection.

Once again, thank you to all our managers, staff, physicians, volunteers and contractors for helping us reach our highest staff vaccination rate at VCH! Special thanks to all of our Peer Nurse Immunizers (PNIs) for their dedication and to the PNIs who attended and were photographed at the media event on April 23. We look forward to continue to work collaboratively and build on the success of this year’s influenza campaign.