Influenza (the “flu”) is a respiratory disease caused by the influenza virus. Individuals with chronic conditions or who have weakened immune systems are at increased risk of infections, including flu. Healthcare workers can help prevent the spread of influenza through routine immunization.
Vaccine Coverage
All long-term care facilities and hospitals in Ontario are required to report their seasonal vaccine coverage of all staff to the government each year. Within Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka, facilities are acknowledged for their influenza vaccine coverage when the immunization rate is greater than 70% as part of the Influenza Immunization Challenge (IIC). Vaccine coverage for health care workers in Simcoe Muskoka is available for the following types of facilities:
Hospitals
Long-Term Care Facilities
For the general population, please see the Influenza Coverage in General Population page.
Hospitals
The figure below shows the percentage of health care workers in hospitals across Simcoe Muskoka that received a seasonal flu shot from the 2003-04 flu season to the 2018-19 flu season. Approximately 67.1% of the healthcare workers in hospitals receive a seasonal flu shot in Simcoe Muskoka which is higher than the provincial average of 52.6%. The local Influenza Immunization Challenge (IIC) started in 2011-12 season for hospitals.
Long-Term Care Facilities
The figure below shows the percentage of health care workers in long-term care facilities across Simcoe Muskoka that receive a seasonal flu shot from the 2003-04 flu season to the 2018-19 flu season. Approximately 83.8% of the healthcare workers in long-term care facilities receive a seasonal flu shot in Simcoe Muskoka which is higher than the provincial average of 72.8%. This is also higher than the proportion of staff at hospitals who receive a seasonal flu shot each year. The IIC started in 2010-11 season for long-term care facilities.
