Honouring Healthcare Worker Flu Shot Champions
Written by admin, October 21, 2014
October 21, 2014 – Overall Healthcare Worker Average Vaccination Rate at Local Long-Term Care Homes is 81%
Today the Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra commended local healthcare workers for receiving provincial recognition for keeping patients safe by achieving strong influenza immunization rates last year at their facilities.
“We are very proud of the efforts of these eight healthcare facilities that caught the attention of Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health for their success in increasing staff influenza immunization rates last year,” said Dr. Salvaterra. “Creating a ring of immunity around our most vulnerable residents is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of the flu in healthcare settings, and in the community as well.”
Every year Public Health is required to submit the healthcare worker influenza vaccination rates of long-term care homes and hospitals to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. The Public Health organized a small celebration to honour representatives from each of the following eight healthcare facilities for achieving a 5% one-year increase, or an overall staff influenza vaccination rate of 80%, or both:
Healthcare facilities with a 5% increase in their overall staff influenza immunization rate for the 2013-14 season:
- Fairhaven Home
- Peterborough Regional Health Centre
Healthcare facilities that achieved an overall staff influenza immunization rate of 80% for the 2013-14 season:
- Centennial Place
- St. Joseph’s at Fleming
Healthcare facilities with both a 5% annual increase and an overall staff influenza immunization rate of 80% for the 2013/14 season:
- Extendicare Lakefield
- Extendicare Peterborough
- Pleasant Meadow Manor
- Riverview Manor
Dr. Salvaterra noted thanks to strong local efforts such as those undertaken by these organizations, the average healthcare worker immunization rate at long-term care homes last year was 81%, well above the provincial median of 78%.
This year’s flu vaccine has already been distributed to healthcare workers to protect those at high-risk, and will be available publicly through pharmacies and family healthcare providers starting October 23.
-30-
For further information, please contact:
Brittany Cadence
Communications Supervisor
(705) 743-1000, ext. 391