Sun Country Health Region is doubling its efforts this fall to promote influenza immunization among its staff.

Dr. Shauna Hudson, Medical Health Officer for the Region, says the Region wants to see at least 85 per cent of its staff vaccinated in all its health care facilities.

“Vaccination is recognized as the single most effective way of preventing or reducing the impact of influenza infection for those at high risk of serious illness, or death, from influenza related complications,” she says.

“Some people have very minor symptoms from influenza, and sometimes they have no symptoms at all, but they can still spread influenza to others if they are working,” she says.

“By improving the immunization coverage rates of health care workers, we will decrease the transmission of influenza from caregivers to persons at high risk and will reduce influenza-related deaths among persons at high risk for complications from influenza,” says Dr. Hudson.

She said the higher rate of flu shots among staff also should reduce absenteeism during the months the flu makes the rounds in the community. This will ensure are residents get the care they need and that optimal staffing levels are maintained.

About 74.4 per cent of Sun Country Health Region (SCHR) staff was vaccinated in 2005. That ranged from a low of 44 per cent in one facility some facilities to a high of 100 per cent in others.

The Region wants all the health care facilities that were below 75 per cent coverage last year to reach the goal of at least 75 per cent coverage of their employees to protect the residents of long-term care facilities, staff and their families.

“If the other facilities can maintain or increase their staff influenza immunization coverage rates, we hope to reach our goal of 85 per cent coverage for the whole region,” says Dr. Hudson.

Saskatchewan Health will provide free flu vaccine this fall for people who are 65 years of age and older; residents of nursing homes; people of any age with chronic health conditions such as cancer, heart or lung disease, etc.; and healthy children between six and 23 months of age.

Dr. Hudson encourages parents to immunize their children for their protection and the protection of their grandparents.