Health Unit concern: Low flu immunization among area care workers

The local public health unit investigated 11 flu outbreaks in long-term care homes, retirement homes, and hospitals in December and January.

Officials at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health said one of the factors contributing to the high number of outbreaks is the low flu immunization rate among local health care workers.

Janice Walters, manager of the Control of Infectious Disease said, “The argument for immunized health care workers is undeniable when you consider the facts:

- the flu vaccine has been found to prevent flu related complications including hospitalization and death;

- health care workers may be at risk for contracting flu during an outbreak;

- health care workers may serve as a vector for transmitting flu to patients or residents of long term care homes; and

- seasonal flu is a vaccine-preventable disease.”

The flu immunization rate for the 2010-11 season for health care workers in Wellington and Dufferin counties, including Guelph, were:

- 61% average for retirement homes;

- 42% for hospitals; and

- 65% for long-term care homes.

Poor immunization rates are a patient safety issue and quality assurance issue for administrators.

“We have tried to increase the rates of immunization for health care workers by offering education, incentives, and free shots at convenient locations,” Walters said. “It really comes down to the ethical obligation of a health care worker to do no harm.”

For a list of flu shot clinics and times, visit www.wdghu.org.