It’s that time of year again that we start planning for the flu season. In fact we are already aware of the virus circulating at low levels here in VCH. Your participation will protect our most vulnerable patients from a potentially fatal flu infection.

All staff must receive a flu shot and report it online by December 1, or wear a mask for the duration of the season while working in patient care areas. Last year, the majority of you got the flu shot, 81%. The remaining staff wore masks.

Flu clinics

The flu vaccine is available now. You can get your free flu shot through peer immunizers (check with your manager), at a staff clinic (listed at www.vch.ca/staff-flu – best viewed in Chrome, Safari or Firefox), from your family doctor, pharmacist, or walk-in clinic. ImmunizeBC.ca also lists public clinics at pharmacies. Please bring your Care Card and employee ID card with you. 

Masks will be available on units for staff and visitors as of December 1.

Report your immunization online 

Have your employee ID number and report at:

Staff & residents: https://flu.vch.ca. 
Physicians (including dentists, midwives, psychologists, podiatrists, denturists, fellows, nurse practitioners): https://medicalstaffhealth.vch.ca/

More info

For more information please visit the VCH staff flu page www.vch.ca/staff-flu. There you’ll find the full policy, info about how to properly wear a mask, and frequently asked questions. 
We welcome your questions; these can be sent to fluprevention@vch.ca.

We all work in health care for a reason and we have a responsibility to fight the flu, by getting immunized or wearing a mask for that same reason: to care for the vulnerable. Thank you for your continued commitment to providing safe, high quality care to our patients, residents and clients.