Join the Flu Fighters! Win an iPad Mini!

Thousands of people die from the flu every year including people in our region but you don’t have to be a superhero to save a life – get a flu shot or wear a mask this season to help protect our vulnerable patients and clients. With several VCH facilities having already experienced flu outbreaks it’s important that you get a flu shot as soon as possible.

Where to get a shot

Starting November 3 peer nurse immunizers will be vaccinating staff on numerous units. Special clinics for staff at some of our sites start October 27. Or you can you get a shot from a pharmacy, family doctor or Public Health clinic.

A map of VCH clinics just for staff can be found at www.vch.ca/staff-flu. And a map of clinic locations for the public across B.C., including all pharmacies, is available on ImmunizeBC’s website at immunizebc.ca/clinics/flu.

Let us know you got the shot

Please report your shot within two days of being immunized. Visit https://flu.vch.ca and complete the form. The form takes less than one minute to complete.

Keep your documentation: your manager will periodically receive immunization reports and check in with you if you have not reported your vaccination. If you don’t have the documentation you may be required to wear a mask for the duration of the influenza season.

VCH medical staff (doctors, dentists, midwives and nurse practitioners), fellows and other regulated health professionals (scientific & research staff, podiatrists, psychologists, denturists, etc.) can self-report through one of the following methods:

Email: medicalstaffhealth@vch.ca
Phone: (604) 875-4111 ext. 69597

Masks

If you don’t get a flu shot by December 1 you’ll be required to wear a mask while in all patient care areas until the season ends March 31, 2015. Masks are available on all units.

Not sure if this includes you?

We are required to have had a shot or wear a mask while in patient care areas. This is defined as an area within a health care facility, including a contracted facility, that is accessible to patients, residents or clients who are there to access care or services – including, for example, hallways or lobbies. It includes any other location where care is provided, such as home and community care locations (including a client’s home). It does not include locations such as administrative areas or private offices which are not generally accessed by patients, residents or clients.

Win a mini-iPad!

Snap a selfie (a photo of yourself) when you get your flu shot and submit it to the VCH Facebook page and be entered to win one of two mini-iPads! Wear a superhero costume and submit your photo getting a flu shot by November 15. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page first before posting.

No superhero costume? Post your flu shot selfie by December 1.

If you don’t have a Facebook account email your submission to fluprevention@vch.ca with Super Selfie as the subject. The same deadlines listed above apply. You must be the only person in the shot, no patients or clients.

There will be one prize draw from the superhero submissions (hint: the best costume/effort wins) and one randomly drawn prize draw from all other submissions.

More info

All information about the flu campaign is on the VCH public website at www.vch.ca/staff-flu.

Read VCH CEO Mary Ackenhusen’s October 16 memo to all staff here.

Questions?

Email us at fluprevention@vch.ca.

Photo: VCH Flu Fighters from Employee Engagement