A record 1.4 million doses of vaccine have been distributed in B.C. since November 2013, with a 74 per cent effectiveness rate against the predominant H1N1 strain.
The health ministry also says 80 per cent of health care workers were vaccinated.
Health Minister Terry Lake applauded the vaccination efforts.
“I want to personally thank Dr. Perry Kendall and the public health officials at the BC Centre for Disease Control, along with the health authorities, for their professionalism and expert guidance during this busy influenza season,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “I also know that health-care providers made an extraordinary effort to protect their patients by getting vaccinated or wearing a mask, which is appreciated by all British Columbians.”
This was the first flu season that B.C. health authorities implemented a policy requiring all workers and visitors to get vaccinated or wear a mask in “patient care” areas.
“We are pleased to see that not only are more people getting vaccinated, the vaccine that was available this year was very effective in protecting against influenza. The earlier you get vaccinated, the better prepared you are to fight the flu,” said provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall.
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