Our nurses behind the needles — Vancouver’s peer nurse immunizers (PNIs) — have been hard at work. Thanks to these volunteers, many of us haven’t had to leave our unit or department to get immunized. And the results speak for themselves.

More than 82 per cent of Vancouver’s 6,000-plus staff are now immunized against the flu.

PNIs like Mila Miguel of Home Vive and Ali Wakerley of the Burns, Plastics and Trauma Unit say the experience has been rewarding. Why? Well, we’ll let them explain in their own words.

Meet Mila and Ali

VCH News: Why did you volunteer to be a PNI?

Mila: I volunteered because not only do I feel that it’s a good idea to provide the vaccine at a convenient location for staff while at work, it also allows me to connect with colleagues that I otherwise may not, due to the fact that we have multiple programs on Centennial Pavilion 5.

Ali: I volunteered so I could help the staff on my ward — who may not otherwise have time or who were a little bit nervous — to get their flu shots.

VCH News: What do you like about being a PNI?

Mila: What I like most is the annual updated training pertinent to each flu season and being able to share this with staff and ultimately support their decision-making regarding getting the flu shot or electing not to.

Ali: I like being able to teach staff about the flu shot, and perhaps correct some misconceptions and misinformation floating around.

VCH News: Do you have a funny immunization story?

Ali: I do! Although I’m a PNI, I hate getting injects. This year, Leighanne Mackenzie, operations director, medicine, and another PNI, gave me my flu shot — and I had to lie down afterwards because I almost fainted!