Influenza Information & Forms for Community Vaccine Providers

Information on this page is for Community Vaccine Providers (CVPs) at Island Health.

For more information, please read our Frequently Asked Questions for visitors to hospitals and health-care facilities, and Influenza Protection Policy.

Influenza seasonal update and flu vaccine eligibility criteria 2020-2021

• September 2020: Medical Health Officers Newsletter
• BCCDC: Guidance for Influenza Vaccine Delivery in the Presence of COVID-19 (August 21, 2020) 
• BCCDC: Influenza Vaccine Eligibility Criteria

Publicly funded influenza vaccines 2020-21

*Pre-filled syringes take up approximately 10 times as much fridge space as multi-dose vials. 

Ordering vaccines

PUBLICLY FUNDED INFLUENZA VACCINE ORDER FORM

PUBLICLY FUNDED VACCINE ORDER FORM - Order other vaccines that may be given at the same time (e.g. tetanus/diphtheria, pneumococcal) 

Updated guidelines for flu vaccine distribution

• This flu season there has been an increased demand for vaccine from clients resulting in an increase in vaccine orders from many community vaccine providers (CVPs)
• Orders are filled based on total doses administered by a CVP in the previous flu season, equitable allocation of flu vaccine among all CVPs and timing / schedule of vaccine shipments from BCCDC.
• Additional flu vaccine doses have been ordered to address additional demand. Most CVPs in Island Health can anticipate receiving approximately 15% more vaccine than last season.
• Flu vaccine arrives at health units in multiple shipments throughout the flu season.
• CVPs will likely receive their full allocation by the end of December / beginning of January, spread out over several orders.
• Do not book flu vaccine appointments until you have received confirmation of your vaccine order(s) by your local health unit.
• If you have questions about your vaccine order please connect with your local health unit.

Updated instructions to order vaccines

• Place orders as needed. Please include the Number of Doses on Hand with each order. 
• Vaccine inventory: Pharmacies and physician offices are expected to report their flu vaccine inventory weekly.
  • Orders will not be filled if inventory has not been updated within the last 7 days. See CVP Inventory Poster for inventory reporting directions.
  • Public will be able to view some CVP inventory information on the Island Health website, so they know where to access vaccine in the community.
• Influenza vaccine will be distributed based on available supply. If an ordered vaccine is no longer available, an equivalent product will be supplied.
• If a vaccine order is partially filled, consider that order complete and submit another order as needed.
• If no vaccine product or acceptable substitute is available, orders will not be back-filled. Check with your local health unit to find out when they are anticipating any additional shipments of flu vaccine from BCCDC.

Storing and handling vaccines

Immunization Information for Healthcare Professionals includes vaccine storage and handling, cold chain failure procedures, etc.

Reporting and recording influenza vaccine

Reporting Forms
Report of Publicly Funded Influenza Immunization: Children 6 months to 18 years  
Fax completed form to local health unit weekly

Report of Publicly Funded Influenza Immunization - Physicians and Other Vaccine Providers 
Fax completed form to local health unit by January 8, 2021

Recording Sheet
Influenza Recording Sheet: Adults (19 years and older)   
Recording Sheet for CVP use only
 

Reporting adverse events and outbreaks

• Adverse events following immunization: BCCDC information and form
• Outbreaks: suspected and confirmed outbreaks should be reported within 24 hours to the Communicable Disease Program:
  • South Island: 1-866-665-6626
  • Central Island: 1-866-770-7798
  • North Island: 1-877-887-8835

Diagnosis and treatment guidelines

• AMMI Guideline - Use of antiviral drugs for seasonal influenza: Foundation document for practitioners - Update 2019
• Use of Antivirals in long-term care facilities

Influenza activity

• Island Health Active Outbreak List
• BCCDC Surveillance report (provincial)
• FluWatch (national)
• WHO Flu Surveillance (international)

Contacts

Public Health Units
Medical Health Officers