Information on this page is for staff who work at long-term care or assisted living facilities located within Island Health. This fall, COVID-19 and Influenza vaccines will be co-administered to residents.
Medical Health Officer Newslette & Memo
Memo
- Vaccine Management
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- All staff who monitor, handle or administer vaccine must be familiar with the cold chain process and BCCDC Vaccine Management resources
- Vaccine must always be stored between +2°C to +8°C either in a monitored fridge or cooler packed according to BCCDC standards
- Record the minimum, maximum and current vaccine fridge temperatures at the start and end of each day using the BCCDC Fridge Temperature Form
- Vaccine stored in a cooler for ≥4 hours must be monitored with a min/max thermometer
- If vaccine is exposed to any temperature outside +2°C to +8°C, immediately:
- Place vaccine in a bag and label ‘QUARANTINE – DO NOT USE’
- Store bag between +2°C to +8°C in a monitored fridge or cooler packed according to BCCDC standards
- Contact local health unit
- Vaccine Eligibility
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- Vaccine Products
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COVID-19 Vaccines
Influenza Vaccines
Inactivated Influenza Vaccines |
FLUZONE HIGH-DOSE |
Long-term care and assisted living residents 65 years of age and older |
Pre-filled syringe |
FLUZONE |
Long-term care and assisted living residents and staff less than 65 years of age |
Multi-dose vial or Pre-filled syringe |
FLULAVAL |
Long-term care and assisted living residents and staff less than 65 years of age |
Multi-dose vial |
FLUAD |
Independent living residents and staff 65 years of age and older |
Pre-filled syringe |
- Ordering Vaccine
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COVID-19 & Influenza Vaccine Order Form for Facilities
Start placing vaccine orders the week of September 25, 2023 for distribution the following week.
First Order: request vaccine doses based on the number of long-term care, assisted living and independent living residents. Vaccine can be ordered for staff, however, staff will also be invited to book an appointment through the provincial Get Vaccinated system. If staff are new to BC, they can register through getvaccinated.gov.bc.ca or by calling 1-833-838-2323.
Subsequent Orders: place as needed
Begin vaccinating residents as soon as both vaccines are available at your facility.
Facilities that contract pharmacists to administer vaccines
Each facility should place their own vaccine order through Public Health to ensure the correct product is being administered to residents. If a pharmacist will be picking up the vaccine on behalf of the facility, indicate the name of the pharmacy on the order form.
Picking up vaccine
Facilities are responsible for picking up the vaccine once contacted by the health unit to confirm order is ready. Bring a hard-sided cooler with frozen ice packs and gel/water blankets when picking up vaccine otherwise vaccine will not be released.
- Documentation & Reporting
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All COVID-19 & Influenza doses must be recorded in the Provincial Immunization Registry (i.e. ImmsBC).
Receive Access to ImmsBC
Supervisor: complete ImmsBC User Account Request Form using the ImmsBC Request Workflow
ImmsBC User: complete Education for LTC & AL Sites
Support & Questions: email PublicHealthInformatics@islandhealth.ca
Complete the Online Clinic Tally Form at the end of each clinic day.
- Consent Forms
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- Reporting Adverse Events
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Learn more about Reporting Adverse Events.
- Outbreaks
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Prepare for Outbreaks
Report Outbreaks within 24 hours
- Amalgamate facilities report to their infection control practitioner
- Affiliate facilities report to Public Health Communicable Disease Program:
Manage Outbreaks
Monitor Outbreaks
- Resources
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- Contacts
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