News Release - Interior Health

News Release - Interior Health

  

For Immediate Release 

 

Vernon lab collection site on the move

Interior Health’s Vernon Laboratory Blood Collection Site is on the move. Effective Monday October 21st, 2013 the Discovery Plaza lab collection site is relocating to the new Sterling Building at:

3210 25th Ave. Vernon
Second Floor- 205
(corner of Hwy. 97 and 25th Ave.)

The hours of operation will remain the same: Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Please note the Discovery Plaza lab will be closed Oct 17/18 to accommodate the move – thank you in advance for your patience.

For more information please call: 250-558-1242.

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Take a look at your new hospital!

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Flu clinics news.

For Immediate Release | November 23, 2009

MEDIA—Check IH Website for Most Up-to-Date Flu Clinic Details!

There may have been changes made to dates, times, etc. for some IH combination flu clinics this week, so all media are encouraged to check the IH website before broadcasting local clinics.

Please click on the following link for an alphabetical list of communities offering clinics this week:

Health clinics

As of last Friday, the combination flu clinics are providing H1N1 vaccination to anyone, 6 months or older, within Interior Health that needs or wants it, as well as the seasonal flu shot to those 65 years and older and those at risk of health complications from the seasonal flu.

H1N1 Vaccine Dosing for Kids:
On November 13th, The Public Health Agency of Canada updated its recommendations on H1N1 flu vaccine dosing for children between 3 and 9 years of age. The updated recommendations suggest that a single half-dose of adjuvanted H1N1 flu vaccine for healthy children may provide an acceptable level of protection from infection from the H1N1 flu virus.

To Find the Clinic Nearest You
Details about times, dates and locations of the clinic nearest you the following week – where you can get both the H1N1 vaccine and a seasonal flu shot – will be posted by end of day Wednesday at:
· Flu Clinic Locator at www.interiorhealth.ca or www.immunizebc.ca
· HealthLink BC, dial 8-1-1, available 24 hours a day
· Your local Public Health Centre.

For the week of November 23rd, people living in communities where there will not be a mass clinic nearby, are directed to attend the nearest clinic to them or check with their family physician or walk-in clinics to see if they have vaccine available.

For media please contact:

Lannea Parfitt
Public Health Communications
250-870-5898

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H1N1 Clinics Kick Off in Interior Health: Seasonal Flu Clinics Expand Eligibility Criteria

With the announcement of the approval of the H1N1 vaccine, plans for adding H1N1 clinics throughout Interior Health kicked into high gear today.

The first clinics get underway next week in three locations with the rest starting the week of November 2 as local facilities are booked and staff and volunteers are organized to help run the clinics.

“We will be receiving our H1N1 vaccine in smaller batches, more frequently,” reports Dr. Andrew Larder, Senior Medical Health Officer for Interior Health. “That’s why we are offering the vaccine to those that will benefit the most from its use first – those people at greater risk of serious health complications from H1N1.”

The following is a list of the highest risk groups and we recommend that they receive their vaccinations first:

· Pregnant women in the second half of pregnancy in communities where H1N1 influenza is actively circulating. NOTE: once nonadjuvanted vaccine is available, it should be used preferentially in this group, and offered regardless of local circulation of H1N1 influenza
· Persons under age 65 with chronic conditions
· Persons residing in rural and remote communities, including First Nations

Starting the week of Nov. 2, the following groups will then be eligible to also get their shot:

· Children 6 months to less than 5 years (59 months)
· Healthcare workers, who are involved with the pandemic response of delivery of essential health services.
· Household contacts and care providers of infants < 6 months of age and of persons who are immunocompromised.

In mid-November, after the priority groups have had the opportunity to get immunized, the clinics will be open to anyone who needs or wants an H1N1 vaccine, free of charge.

The H1N1 clinics will be held jointly with the seasonal flu clinics currently underway. When it’s recommended for people to get their H1N1 shot, they will now be able to get a seasonal flu shot at the same time, if they are eligible.

“We are also recommending that those eligible to receive both their H1N1 vaccine and their seasonal flu shot get them at the same time,” adds Dr. Larder.

Seasonal Flu Clinics Expand to Include Those at Risk
In addition, to the new H1N1 clinics, the seasonal flu clinics are also expanding to offer the free vaccine to anyone who has been eligible in past years, not just those over 65 years. This list includes:

· People 65 years and older and their caregivers/household contacts
· Children and adults with chronic health conditions and their household contacts
· Children and adolescents (6 months to 18 years) with conditions treated for long periods of time with Acetylsalicylic acid and their household contacts
· Healthy children age 6-23 months
· Household contacts and caregivers of infants age 0-23 months
· Pregnant women who will be in their third trimester during influenza season and their household contacts
· Residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities
· Health care and other care providers in facilities and community settings who are capable of transmitting influenza to those at high risk of influenza complications
· People who work with live poultry and/or swine.

“H1N1 is by far the most predominant flu circulating this fall,” says Dr. Larder. “Getting your flu shot will help protect you and those around you. In addition, we also continue to encourage everyone to practice safe hygiene: cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, wash your hands frequently and stay home if you are sick.”

The first clinics start in three communities that have the supplies and the staff ready to go. These start October 29th in Vernon, Creston and 100 Mile House on October 29th and 30th. The majority of clinics in the rest of IH will get underway the week of November 2nd.

Details about times, dates and locations of the clinic nearest you, when available, will be posted on the website and at:

· www.interiorhealth.ca
· www.immunizebc.ca
· HealthLink BC, dial 8-1-1, open 24/7
· Your local Public Health Centre

For more information on H1N1 and seasonal flu:
· Log on to the Interior Health website for updates and information www.interiorhealth.ca

Call HealthLink BC by dialing 8-1-1 or visiting www.healthlinkbc.ca.

View British Columbia updates on the H1N1 Flu Virus (human swine flu) are available at http://www.gov.bc.ca/h1n1/index.html.

Read HealthLink BC Files:
· #12b Facts About the Flu http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/healthfiles/hfile12b.stm
· #12a Why Seniors Should Get Flu Vaccinations
· #12c Flu Immunization: Myths and Facts
· #12d Influenza (Flu) Vaccine

Learn how to protect yourself against flu at http://fightflu.ca/index-eng.html.

For more info, contact:

Lannea Parfitt (Public Health Communications)
250-870-5898

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2009 Flu Clinic Schedule for People 65 Years and Older

Seasonal flu clinics for seniors 65 and over.

Schubert Centre 3505 30th Avenue October 23, 2009 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM no appt necessary
Schubert Centre 3505 30th Avenue October 29, 2009 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM no appt necessary
Halina Sr. Centre 3310 37th Avenue November 2, 2009 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM no appt necessary
Halina Sr. Centre 3310 37th Avenue November 9, 2009 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM no appt necessary

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT – Interior Health.

Use Your ER Wisely – Advice for Patients with Flu-Like Symptoms

Interior Health would like to remind everyone that hospital Emergency Departments are designed for the treatment of seriously ill patients and those requiring urgent care. If you go to the Emergency Department when your symptoms aren’t serious, this can result in high volumes and delays in treatment.

Most cases of the H1N1 flu virus in BC have been mild, with people recovering on their own, at home. If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, particularly if you have a cough and a fever, it’s advised you stay home for 7-10 days or until your symptoms have resolved and you’re able to continue with daily activities. This will help prevent the spread of disease.

Anyone who has concerns about their symptoms or whose symptoms worsen, should contact HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 or log on to their website at www.healthlinkbc.ca. This line is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A nurse will be available take your call and advise you of the appropriate next steps.

The “H1N1 symptom checker” has also been added to the HealthLink BC website. Based on the answers, the tool will let you know how soon to seek care by a health professional and/or provide a link on information about H1N1. The tool will not provide a diagnosis for H1N1.

While emergencies are unavoidable, there are some things people can do to avoid unnecessary visits to the hospital:

· Symptoms related to H1N1 are cough, fever, general aches, and fatigue and may last up to 10 days or longer for some people. If you, or a family member are experiencing these symptoms, stay at home until your symptoms resolve.

· Call HealthLink BC (8-1-1) or log on to their website at www.healthlinkbc.ca if you have questions– this service is available 24 hours a day seven days a week.

· If you need non-urgent care, first contact your family doctor, or the doctor on call for their clinic or practice. Advise them of your symptoms in advance by calling ahead.

For more information on how to protect yourself from influenza, and how to prevent the spread of H1N1 flu virus, visit www.interiorhealth.ca

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Expected Increase in H1N1 Activity Means Residents Need to Remain Vigilant

For Immediate Release
October 5, 2009

Expected Increase in H1N1 Activity Means Residents Need to Remain Vigilant

While the majority of the cases of the H1N1 flu virus seen in the Interior Health region and across British Columbia have been mild, the public still needs to be mindful of taking action and precautions to protect themselves from the virus this fall and winter.

B.C. is seeing an increase in H1N1 flu activity earlier than what is normal for the annual flu season and Interior Health would like to remind the public – and especially pregnant women and those with underlying chronic health conditions – that now, more than ever, is the time to be vigilant about using good personal hygiene etiquette to help minimize the spread of viruses.

““For the last few months, we have been predicting an increase in flu activity. Now, some schools in the Interior are seeing increased absenteeism and physicians throughout the region are reporting more cases of influenza-like illness,” said IH Senior Medical Health Officer, Dr. Andrew Larder. ““We have been expecting and preparing for this increase and, with the lessons we have learned from the experience in the Southern Hemisphere during their flu season, we are in a very good position to manage the virus in our region throughout the fall and winter.”

Pregnant women, Aboriginal people, and adults and children with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of more serious illness and complications from the H1N1 flu. Those with chronic health conditions such as respiratory disease, asthma, heart disease, diabetes, immunosuppression, kidney or liver disease or blood disorders, should take extra precautions to protect themselves. People in these risk groups should talk to their doctor about getting a prescription for antiviral drugs in advance that they can fill if they do start to have flu-like symptoms.

““The most effective way you can protect yourself is to wash your hands often for at least 15 seconds with soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer if you aren’t near a sink,” said Larder. “Be sure to sneeze and cough into your sleeve or a tissue and, if you or your children do get sick, stay home from work or school so you don’t get others sick.”

The H1N1 vaccine is expected to arrive in B.C. in November, or possibly earlier, and the provincial government has ordered enough doses to ensure that everyone who needs and wants the vaccine will be able to receive it. It’s also expected that all British Columbians will be able to receive one dose of the vaccine by Christmas. While one dose will be sufficient for most adults, children under ten may require two doses.

Symptoms related to the H1N1 flu virus are very similar to those of seasonal flu, including cough, fever, general aches and fatigue. These symptoms may last up to 10 days or longer for some people.

Watch for information on future H1N1 flu vaccination clinics in your local media or the Interior Health website at

www.interiorhealth.ca

If you have general questions about H1N1 or related symptoms, call HealthLink BC at 811, 24 hours a day or log on to

www.healthlinkbc.ca

Media Information:
Lannea Parfitt
Public Health Communications Officer
(250) 870-5898

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