2014-2015 Influenza Vaccine Rates for Local Healthcare Workers
Written by admin, October 15, 2015
October 14, 2015 – Average Vaccine Coverage Rates for Long Term Care Homes is 79%
Today Peterborough Public Health reported the rates of seasonal influenza vaccine uptake by healthcare workers (HCWs), including those who work in long-term care homes, retirement residences, the hospital, and at Public Health.
“I am concerned about the low staff immunization rates in many healthcare facilities because flu season is fast approaching and we know that it can be life-threatening for seniors, young children and other vulnerable populations,” said Dr. Rosana Salvaterra, Medical Officer of Health. “With better HCW influenza immunization, not only would it increase the level of protection in the community, it would reduce healthcare costs and staff absenteeism as more cases of influenza are averted.”
To improve HCW immunization rates, Public Health recommends asking local healthcare facilities to require immunization for all new hires. The Board of Health has required annual immunization against influenza for all Public Health employees since 2002.
Influenza vaccine for the 2014-15 season has arrived at Public Health and is being distributed to long-term care homes, retirement residences and Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
Influenza is ranked among the top 10 infectious diseases affecting the Canadian population and can result in widespread illness, including outbreaks and pandemics. It is associated with complications such as bacterial pneumonia and death. The most effective measure for reducing the impact of influenza is to immunize people at high risk every year. This includes HCWs and others who are capable of transmitting influenza to those at risk.
According to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), when influenza is spread between infected HCWs and their vulnerable patients it results in significant morbidity and death. NACI considers the provision of influenza vaccination for HCWs who have direct patient contact to be an essential component of the standard of care for the protection of their patients.
The flu shot is also strongly recommended for friends and family members of those who reside in a long term care facility.
NACI also states that approximately 10-20% of the Canadian population become infected with influenza each year. Rates of infection are highest in children aged five to nine years, but rates of serious illness and death are highest in children under two years of age, older persons (65 years of age and older), and people with underlying medical conditions.
Based on NACI’s statement that there are 3,500 deaths related to influenza each year in Canada, it is estimated that there would be an average of approximately 1,365 influenza-associated deaths per year in Ontario. The highest mortality rate typically occurs among adults 65 years of age and older.
2014-15 Influenza Immunization Rates for Peterborough Healthcare Facilities
as of December 15, 2014
| Facility | Total Coverage Rate | Long Term Care Home | |||
| % Staff* Immunized2013/2014 | % Staff* Immunized 2014/2015 | + Change ?5% but coverage ?80% | Coverage ? 80% | + Change ?5% and coverage ? 80% | |
| Applewood (RR) | 84 | 51 | – | – | – |
| Canterbury Gardens (RR) | 100 | 96 | – | X | – |
| Centennial Place (NH) | 83 | 85 | – | X | – |
| Empress Gardens (RR) | 91 | 94 | – | X | – |
| Extendicare Lakefield (NH) | 82 | 76 | – | – | – |
| Extendicare Peterborough (NH) | 85 | 79 | – | – | – |
| Fairhaven Home for Seniors (HFA) | 70 | 76 | X | – | – |
| Jackson Creek (RR) | 40 | 58 | X | – | – |
| Mapleview (RR) | 84 | 68 | – | – | – |
| Mount St. Joseph (RR and NH) | 80 | 80 | – | X | – |
| Peterborough Manor (RR) | 98 | 53 | – | – | – |
| Pleasant Meadow Manor (NH) | 94 | 85 | – | X | – |
| Princess Gardens (RR) | 92 | 96 | – | X | – |
| Riverview Manor (NH) | 94 | 80 | – | X | – |
| Royal Gardens (RR) | 91 | 91 | – | X | – |
| Rubidge Hall (RR) | 74 | 53 | – | – | – |
| Springdale Country Manor (LTCH) | 62 | 70 | X | – | – |
| St. Joseph’s at Fleming (LTCH) | 83 | 89 | – | X | X |
| Peterborough Regional Health Centre Interim Long Term Care Unit | 80 | 71 | – | – | – |
| Sherbrooke Heights | ** | ||||
| Average reported rates | 83 | 79 | |||
| Peterborough Regional Health Centre Hospital | 50 | 76 | X | – | – |
NOTE: Retirement Residence (RR); Nursing Home (NH); Home for the Aged (HFA)
*Staff data includes employees on payroll, licensed independent practitioners, adult student/trainees, volunteer staff and other contract staff. Other retirement residences which did not provide immunization information are not included in this table.
** No data received.
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For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
705-743-1000, ext. 391