“Since October 26, 2009 vaccine clinics have been held in almost every Vancouver Island community – the largest mass immunization campaign our history,” said Dr. Richard Stanwick, Chief Medical Health Officer, VIHA. “This involved not only a significant beyond-the-call-of-duty effort by VIHA staff and volunteers, but also a tremendous level of support from community facilities, agencies and corporate supporters who all helped make these clinics happen.”
Community support ranged from donated and subsidized clinic venues, donated supplies, food and drinks for clinic staff and volunteers, advertising and promotion and other support. The clinics involved approximately 3,000 immunizer (nursing) hours and 3,000 non-immunizer (volunteer, administrative support, traffic flow) hours.
Since the vaccine campaign began, over 120,000 doses of vaccine have been distributed through public health clinics and over 180,000 doses through other sources such as physician offices, pharmacists and aboriginal health agencies. In total, over 300,000 doses of H1N1 vaccine have been provided to Vancouver Island Health Authority residents.
“Just under 30 percent of VIHA’s population has now received the H1N1 vaccine, while about 20 percent of residents have contracted the virus,” said Stanwick. “And while we are pleased with the interest and uptake in the vaccine, ideally 70% of the population should be resistant to the virus through vaccination or having had the disease.”
The H1N1 vaccine – as well as the regular, seasonal influenza vaccine – is still available through physician offices, Public Health Units and some pharmacies.
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Backgrounders: List of community organizations that supported and facilitated the H1N1 mass immunization clinics
Media Contact:
Shannon Marshall, VIHA Communications
250-370-8270
Backgrounders (3):
North Island Community Organizations That Supported H1N1 Clinics (PDF)
Central Island Community Organizations That Supported H1N1 Clinics (PDF)
South Island Community Organizations That Supported H1N1 Clinics (PDF)