BC Centre for Disease Control asking doctors, nurses for help getting ahead of the flu season
Posted September 14, 2015 12:15 pm.
Last Updated September 14, 2015 12:16 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The BC Centre for Disease Control is asking community doctors and nurses to help them keep an eye on the upcoming flu season.
Last year had the lowest vaccine protection monitored in more than a decade. That was due to a vaccine mismatch, as well as an earlier than usual start to the flu season.
“That virus ended up causing the highest number of care facility outbreaks than I’ve seen in more than 15 years in this post,” says Dr. Danuta Skowronski with the BCCDC.
She adds the World Health Organization has updated the vaccine this year in the hope that it’s more effective.
“It’s really important that we understand how well the vaccine is matched this year and overall, how well the vaccine is performing against the mix of circulating strains.”
That’s where health professionals come in; they are needed to swab suspected cases. All through September, the BCCDC team will be packaging and sending out hundreds of special swab kits throughout the province.
