Rates of flu immunization at Vancouver Coastal Health

Many health care workers refuse to receive the influenza vaccine, despite the fact that they work with vulnerable patients.

Over half of acute care hospital staff do not receive the flu shot. Acute care hospitals receive and treat people suffering from injuries or acute illnesses (such as pneumonia or kidney stones), people rehabilitating from an illness or injury, or people requiring extended care.

Rates of vaccination were 61 per cent last year (a decrease of 14 per cent from the previous year) among staff working in residential facilities, which have 50 per cent or more residents above the age of 65.

The Ministry of Health aims to vaccinate 60 per cent of in-hospital staff and 80 per cent of residential care staff.

Related: Health care workers shun flu shot

Staff members accounted for include those who work, volunteer or train on a full-time, part-time or casual basis in a facility and have direct or indirect contact with patients or residents.

All statistics are from reports by BC Centre for Disease Control.  The data was submitted by health authorities and compiled by epidemiology services.

Staff in acute care hospitals

Rates have increased slightly for the last two years.

The influenza vaccination rates for staff working in Vancouver Coastal Health acute care hospitals for the past five years are:
2005/06: 45.5%
2006/07: 46%
2007/08: 39%
2008/09: 44.8%
2009/10: 47.2%

Staff in residential facilities

Rates of vaccination decreased significantly in the last two years.

The influenza vaccination rates for staff working in Vancouver Coastal Health residential facilities for the past five years are:
2005/06: 75.4%
2006/07: 74.8%
2007/08: 75.7%
2008/09: 73.9%
2009/10: 61.2%

Residents in residential facilities

Rates have decreased slightly in the last two years among residents.

The influenza vaccination rates for residents staying in Vancouver Coastal Health residential facilities for the past five years are:
2005/06: 93.1%
2006/07: 93.9%
2007/08: 92.9%
2008/09: 93.1%
2009/10: 90.8%