The Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) strongly encourages all staff and volunteers to take advantage of the free flu shot to protect yourself, your family, your co-workers and those you care for.
It's not too late to get your flu shot!
The flu shot is available throughout the Fall and Winter:
This year's vaccine includes the H1N1 strain as well as two other strains predicted to be the most common. Although H1N1 will likely remain circulating this season, this virus is now behaving like a typical seasonal flu virus with more predictable disease patterns and timing.
Congratulations to our winners!
This year, as an added incentive to roll up your sleeve, all VIHA staff immunized during the three week campaign were entered into a draw for one of ten $100 gift certificates to a local grocery store.
Congratulations to Angela Martini, Pamela Rardon, Lynda Bamford, Jasbir Saroya, Claire J. Madill, Andrea Campbell, Barry Manson, Robin Cunning, Robert Gurnham, and Brenda Morris!
Why get a flu shot?
Think about this … individuals with influenza are infectious before they feel sick. They can still transmit the virus to others. So without the flu shot, you could be passing the flu around without even knowing it!
The BC Centre for Disease Control reminds all health care workers that the best protection from all three strains of influenza which may circulate in BC this season is immunization.
Healthcare unions encourage their members to consider the benefits of the influenza vaccine.
Please – get your shot early for protection throughout the flu season!
1. Where can I get my flu shot?
To make the vaccine more convenient to staff, many nursing units and clinical departments have a Flu Champion on site to provide vaccines to staff. Look on your unit for a notice or poster advertising more information on who your flu champion is and their schedule for your department. Please don’t forget to bring your staff identification when you get your flu shot.
2. What if I am pregnant or breastfeeding? Is it safe for me to be immunized?
Yes. Immunization is recommended, for your own health and to provide your baby with immunity while breastfeeding. The BC Centre for Disease Control recommends the flu vaccine to any woman who will be in her third trimester during the influenza season from November through to April.
Agriflu® is the preferred vaccine for pregnant women. Both Fluviral® and Agriflu® vaccines are available at Occupational Health clinics. Flu Champions on your unit only have Fluviral®.
If you have questions, consult your own doctor before being immunized.
3. I have latex allergy – can I get the flu vaccine?
Yes, the stopper on the vaccine vials is butyl rubber which is latex-free. All products used to administer the vaccines are latex-free.
4. Are immunizations mandatory?
Not at this time, but VIHA strongly encourages you to follow the recommendations of the BC Centre for Disease Control by taking advantage of this free vaccine. Additionally, health care unions encourage their members to consider the benefits of being immunized.
5. What if my doctor says I cannot receive the vaccine?
You must obtain a medical certificate stating why immunization is medically contraindicated. Submit the certificate to Employee Health by internal mail (HW3, Memorial Pavilion, RJH) or FAX 250-519-1541 with your name and employee number. This information will be entered into your health record as “exempt”.
6. What if I choose not to take the flu vaccine?
As part of VIHA’s Influenza Prevention Program Policy (.pdf - Intranet access required), a potential consequence of refusal is unpaid exclusion in case of an outbreak of influenza in your work area.
7. I already had the flu shot at my doctor’s office (or Public Health or my other employer). Who should I report this to?
Mail or fax a document showing the date, administering authority, and name of the vaccine to Occupational Health & Safety for entry into your health record; submit it by internal mail to Employee Health (HW3, Memorial Pavilion, RJH) or FAX 250-519-1541. Ensure your name and employee number are included on this document.
8. Where can I find more detailed information about the vaccine?
You can consult the following websites:
Individuals with influenza are infectious before they become sick. Those with mild or unrecognized influenza can still tranmit the virus to others. If healthcare workers come to work under these circumstances, they can spread infection to co-workers, patients and residents.
Please get your shot early! It takes an average of two weeks for antibodies to reach protective levels.
- Myth: Influenza is not a serious illness
Fact: Influenza can lead to serious illness in seniors over 65 years and in other high risk groups. In years when influenza is widespread in B.C., death may be linked to influenza or its complications, such as pneumonia.
- Myth: I have never had influenza, so I do not need to get the vaccine. Getting the vaccine every year will weaken my immune system.
Fact: The influenza vaccine boosts your immune system to protect against the virus. Influenza viruses change or mutate often. Most people can get sick with influenza several times during their lives. An influenza vaccine is the best protection against the influenza virus.
- Myth: The influenza vaccine can give me influenza, or will cause severe reaction or side effects.
Fact: The flu shot is safe and cannot give you influenza. The vaccine contains dead influenza viruses that cannot cause infection.
Common reactions to the influenza vaccine or flu shot may include soreness, redness and swelling where the vaccine was given. In about 1 per million recipients of the influenza vaccine Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), a form of paralysis that is usually temporary, may be associated with the vaccine. Other symptoms can include fever, headache and aching muscles that may last 1-2 days.
- Myth: The vaccine does not work because I still get the flu
Fact: There are many different types of viruses year-round that can cause flu-like symptoms, but these are not actaully the influenza virus.
The influenza vaccine protects against the 3 strains of influenza viruses that health experts think will likely cause influenza during the flu season. It does not protect against other viruses that cause similar illnesses. Because the influenza virus strains change or mutate, it is recommended that you get the influenza vaccine each year to be protected against new strains.
The influenza vaccine prevents influenza in more than 7 out of 10 vaccinated persons, when the strains in the vaccine are well-matched to the strains of influenza virus in the community. In elderly people and individuals with chronic health conditions, the vaccine may not prevent influenza completely but may decrease symptoms, complications and the risk of death from influenza.
- Myth: I am pregnant or nursing so I should not get the influenza vaccine
Fact: The influenza vaccine is considered safe at any stage of pregnancy. Women in the second half of pregnancy are at higher risk of hospitalization due to influenza. As well, pregnant women who have certain chronic medical conditions such as diabetes or asthma or who are health care workers should be immunized at any stage of pregnancy. It is safe for babies to breastfeed after mothers receive the influenza vaccine.