MEMO: Increasing Influenza Vaccine Uptake   

TO:  Staff in Long-Term Care, Retirement Homes and Acute Care 

FROM: Infectious Disease program, Niagara Region Public Health & Emergency Services

REFERENCE: Increasing Influenza Vaccine Uptake

DATE:  Oct. 2, 2019

Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious upper respiratory disease. The most effective way to reduce the impact of influenza is annual immunization of persons at high risk, health care staff and others who could carry the virus to those who are vulnerable. Let’s work together to increase the influenza flu vaccine uptake this year!

Improving Influenza Vaccine Uptake for All Staff

• Offer flu shot clinics early before outbreaks occur on all shifts   
• Select a manager or key staff member(s) to be an influenza champion(s)
• Effective communication is a key to success. 
• Educate on the importance of getting the flu shot annually through multiple communication channels (e.g., training sessions, meetings and new employee orientation events)
• Post educational resources in break rooms, cafeterias, and other high traffic areas
• Create a mobile flu shot cart stocked with vaccination supplies including transport cooler, resources, consent forms, fact sheets, policy, medical directives and educational materials to provide “roaming” influenza vaccinations to staff
• Set clear and measurable targets for residents and staff to track success
• Ensuring your policies, such as influenza outbreak (including staff exclusion) and immunization, are updated and clearly communicated each year
• Keeping an updated record of all staff influenza vaccinations and offer incentives
• Flu vaccine is very accessible at health care provider, walk-in clinic, Public Health Clinic, pharmacy or agency; facility could partner with a pharmacy or agency to provide flu shots

Keeping Family and Visitors Healthy During the Influenza Season

Provide key flu prevention messages in all communication and education such as

• Get your flu shot
• Stay home if you are sick. Return when you are well.
• Clean your hands and cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or into your sleeve

Resources

• Niagara Region Outbreak Management Guide 2019 (speak to your Public Health Nurse)
• Canadian Immunization Guide and NACI Statement
• Order your #boostyourfluIQ posters
• Flu Activity in Niagara
• Ontario Respiratory Pathogen Bulletin
• Government of Canada Flu Watch

For further information, please contact Niagara Region Public Health & Emergency Services, Infectious Disease program at 1-888-505-6074 or 905-688-8248 ext. 7330 Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.