> SFU reaches out during flu season
SFU reaches out during flu season
Contact:
Tammy Blackwell, 778.782.4553, tblackwe@sfu.ca
Ray Christopherson, 604.678.5223, ray@tmvc.com
Carol Thorbes, 778.782.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
Tammy Blackwell, 778.782.4553, tblackwe@sfu.ca
Ray Christopherson, 604.678.5223, ray@tmvc.com
Carol Thorbes, 778.782.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
October 25, 2007
Simon Fraser University’s Health and Counselling Service (HCS) is offering the flu and the meningitis vaccines to the general public, as well as the university community. This is the second consecutive fall that SFU is offering the flu vaccine to the general public in an effort to help the public health care system deal with rising demands.
“When HCS began offering the flu clinics for SFU in 2001, we received inquires from members of the SFU community on whether their family members and friends could receive a vaccination at one of our clinics,” says Tammy Blackwell, HCS Manager, Clinical Health Services. “In addition, we received inquires from families living in residence, retirees, alumni and the public. Because we do not have a shortage in the flu vaccine, we are able to offer the service to the general public.”
SFU HCS asked the Travel Medicine & Vaccination Centre in 2003 to administer its vaccination program to students, faculty and staff because of increasing demand internally. Privately owned and operated, the TMVC is the largest medical facility in B.C. specializing in travel and occupational medical services and immunizations.
Working with TMVC enabled HCS to reach out the public last fall. In 2006, 620 people, on and off campus, were vaccinated through SFU clinics. Publicly funded vaccinations accounted for 283 people. They are people who are at the highest risk of hospitalization and complications from the flu, and essential community service providers and caregivers in close contact with them. Privately funded vaccinations ($20 per shot) accounted for 337 people.
The number of people receiving vaccines at the first of SFU’s seven clinics this fall indicates demand continues to rise for the potentially live saving shots — 117 people received a flu shot. “This is a high number, especially considering this clinic offered privately funded vaccines only,” says Ray Christopherson, TMVC manager. “On average, there are between 100 to 150 people who attend a clinic.”
Christopherson says, if need be, nurses will provide more shots to accommodate rising numbers of clinic attendees. He stresses, “we have plenty of vaccine available so it’s unlikely we will run out even if demand increases.”
HCS and TMVC are also offering SFU students, staff and faculty and the general public the meningitis vaccine at the reduced rate of $110. The full rate is $130.
Flu season in Canada is typically from November to April. In BC, more than 1,400 people die annually from the flu or flu-related complications. Many of these deaths are preventable through vaccination, which is estimated to be up to 90 percent effective in preventing this highly infectious and severe viral infection in healthy individuals.
SFU will be holding five more flu vaccination clinics from October 30 to November 13. For a complete list of the remaining clinics and their location see http://www.students.sfu.ca/health/healthclinics/events.html
“When HCS began offering the flu clinics for SFU in 2001, we received inquires from members of the SFU community on whether their family members and friends could receive a vaccination at one of our clinics,” says Tammy Blackwell, HCS Manager, Clinical Health Services. “In addition, we received inquires from families living in residence, retirees, alumni and the public. Because we do not have a shortage in the flu vaccine, we are able to offer the service to the general public.”
SFU HCS asked the Travel Medicine & Vaccination Centre in 2003 to administer its vaccination program to students, faculty and staff because of increasing demand internally. Privately owned and operated, the TMVC is the largest medical facility in B.C. specializing in travel and occupational medical services and immunizations.
Working with TMVC enabled HCS to reach out the public last fall. In 2006, 620 people, on and off campus, were vaccinated through SFU clinics. Publicly funded vaccinations accounted for 283 people. They are people who are at the highest risk of hospitalization and complications from the flu, and essential community service providers and caregivers in close contact with them. Privately funded vaccinations ($20 per shot) accounted for 337 people.
The number of people receiving vaccines at the first of SFU’s seven clinics this fall indicates demand continues to rise for the potentially live saving shots — 117 people received a flu shot. “This is a high number, especially considering this clinic offered privately funded vaccines only,” says Ray Christopherson, TMVC manager. “On average, there are between 100 to 150 people who attend a clinic.”
Christopherson says, if need be, nurses will provide more shots to accommodate rising numbers of clinic attendees. He stresses, “we have plenty of vaccine available so it’s unlikely we will run out even if demand increases.”
HCS and TMVC are also offering SFU students, staff and faculty and the general public the meningitis vaccine at the reduced rate of $110. The full rate is $130.
Flu season in Canada is typically from November to April. In BC, more than 1,400 people die annually from the flu or flu-related complications. Many of these deaths are preventable through vaccination, which is estimated to be up to 90 percent effective in preventing this highly infectious and severe viral infection in healthy individuals.
SFU will be holding five more flu vaccination clinics from October 30 to November 13. For a complete list of the remaining clinics and their location see http://www.students.sfu.ca/health/healthclinics/events.html