2017-18 Rates of Influenza Immunization for Local Nursing Home and Retirement Residence Staff Hit 80%
Written by Communications, October 11, 2018
Healthcare Worker Immunization Critical to Creating “Ring of Immunity”
Peterborough Public Health reported today that the local influenza immunization rate among staff working at local nursing homes and retirement residences reached 80% in 2017/18.
“Influenza vaccination provides benefits to healthcare workers and to the patients in their care,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “While we can always do better, it is impressive to see so many local healthcare workers getting the flu shot. Their leadership reflects how we all have to do our part to reduce the spread of this disease which can cause serious illness or even death to vulnerable residents.”
Dr. Salvaterra mentioned that one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of influenza in healthcare settings and the community is to create a “ring of immunity” around our most vulnerable residents. When more healthcare workers and community members get the flu shot, the stronger this ring of immunity is.
Influenza transmission and outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes can result in significant patient, resident and staff illness and mortality. Studies show that healthcare worker influenza immunization in chronic care/long-term care home facilities for the elderly reduces patient mortality.
This year’s flu vaccine has already been distributed to healthcare workers to protect those at high-risk, and is publicly available through pharmacies and family healthcare providers.
Please see the chart below for a comparison of influenza immunization rates by local long-term care facility. Nursing homes are required by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to report these rates to public health units; this is optional for retirement residences.
Influenza Immunization Rates for Peterborough Health Care Facility Staff, 2017-2018 Season
| Facility | % Staff* Immunized 2017/2018 | |
| Applewood (RR)** | – | |
| Canterbury Gardens (RR) | 92 | |
| Centennial Place (NH) | 92 | |
| Empress Gardens (RR) | 90 | |
| Extendicare Lakefield (NH) | 84 | |
| Extendicare Peterborough (NH) | 80 | |
| Fairhaven Home for Seniors (NH) | 66 | |
| Jackson Creek (RR) | 62 | |
| Mapleview (RR) | 62 | |
| Mount St. Joseph (RR and NH)** | – | |
| Peterborough Retirement Residence (RR)** | – | |
| Pleasant Meadow Manor (NH) | 81 | |
| Princess Gardens (RR) | 89 | |
| Regency in Lakefield (RR) | 83 | |
| Riverview Manor (NH) | 83 | |
| Royal Gardens (RR) | 88 | |
| Rubidge Hall (RR)** | – | |
| Springdale Country Manor (NH) | 58 | |
| St. Joseph’s at Fleming (NH) | 89 | |
| Average reported rates for NH/RR | 80 | |
| Peterborough Regional Health Centre Hospital | 62.6 |
NOTE: Retirement Residence (RR); Nursing Home (NH); *Staff data includes employees on payroll, licensed independent practitioners, adult student/trainees, volunteer staff and other contract staff.
**These retirement residences did not share immunization data with PPH for the 2017-2018 influenza season.
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For further information, please contact:
Dawn Hanes, RN
Public Health Nurse
705-743-1000, ext. 289