It is a responsibility the Provincial Government hopes everyone takes seriously. Starting today, if you are visiting a hospital or care home throughout the Okanagan and elsewhere in B.C., you are being asked to either have a flu shot or wear a mask.The Ministry of Health hopes the measures help prevent the spread of influenza, especially among those most at risk.
“We know that in healthy people they can carry that virus and not be very sick so we are concerned they will spread that virus to those who are susceptible and at risk,” says Dr. Trevor Corneil, a medical health officer with the Interior Health Authority.
Every year about 3,5000 Canadians die from influenza, thousands more are hospitalized. While being vaccinated or wearing a mask is based on an honour system, health officials hope the public realizes preventing the spread of influenza is everyone’s responsibility.
“I think every person has to make their own decision but I think when they read material at front door of our facilities, they will understand in fact they are doing patients and the community in general a service,” says Dr. Corneil.
Provincial regulations require health care providers to be vaccinated or wear a mask Within Interior Health, about 70 per cent of health workers have reported getting a flu shot.
As for the public, last year 189,000 people in the Interior Health Region were vaccinated. IHA hopes those numbers will be significantly higher this year.
If you would like more information about flu shots you can click here http://www.immunizebc.ca/
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