B.C. is making plans to offer everyone 12+ a fall booster dose 
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Premier's statement on five years of delivering results for people

July 18, 2022 10:00 AM
Premier John Horgan has issued the following statement to mark the five-year anniversary of forming a government that puts people first:
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Vancouver named FIFA World Cup 2026 official host city

June 16, 2022 2:37 PM
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British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals

July 19, 2022 9:00 AM
British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals
British Columbians will soon benefit from as many as 322 more allied health professionals supporting their health-care needs as new training seats are added to public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.
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Turning the page on adult literacy with increased funding

July 25, 2022 12:00 PM
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BC Fairs launches Buy BC agriculture trivia contest

July 27, 2022 10:30 AM
BC Fairs are taking British Columbians on a journey this summer with an online Buy BC-themed trivia challenge that explores local products made in the province.
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New funding supports farmers, takes action on climate resiliency

July 27, 2022 9:00 AM
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Settlement reached with Purdue Pharma (Canada) for opioid damages

June 29, 2022 9:08 AM
Opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma (Canada) (Purdue Canada) has agreed to a first of its kind settlement in Canada resulting from B.C.-led efforts to recover health-care costs related to the sale and marketing of opioid-based pain medicines.
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New homes for women, children open in Prince George

July 14, 2022 11:45 AM
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Province seeks public input on supports for children, youth

April 20, 2022 11:15 AM
A survey about B.C’s new service approach for children and youth with support needs is now open to the public.
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Process begins to select family connections centres

May 10, 2022 4:08 PM
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Fast, reliable internet, cell coverage coming to Nass Valley

July 12, 2022 2:30 PM
More than 500 households in multiple Indigenous communities in the Nass Valley are set to benefit from a project that will bring high-speed internet and cellular coverage to the area.
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Connectivity achievements celebrated on Haida Gwaii

July 4, 2022 2:00 PM
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Four BC First Nations conclude self-government agreements regarding education

July 13, 2022 1:55 PM
Group photo of event participants and speakers. Seabird Island, BC.
From the First Nations Education Steering Committee: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/four-bc-first-nations-conclude-self-government-agreements-regarding-education-834404859.html
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Cultural learning can give students grad credit

June 30, 2022 11:35 AM
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British Columbians can access more in EV charger rebates

May 18, 2022 10:05 AM
Better rebates for EV chargers
The Province and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are making it more affordable for people to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in their homes, businesses and communities.
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Minister’s statement on Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference 2022

July 6, 2022 7:30 AM
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Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain

July 14, 2022 10:45 AM
Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain
The first rapid transit project south of the Fraser River in 30 years reached a new milestone with the release of the business case and formal approval of provincial funding for the project.
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B.C. strengthens actions to prepare for climate change with new strategy

June 20, 2022 1:15 PM
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Speculation and vacancy tax will help housing affordability in new communities

July 20, 2022 9:45 AM
The expansion of the Speculation and Vacancy Tax will help eliminate speculative real estate practices and turn empty units into homes for people in additional communities in B.C. struggling with housing affordability.
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B.C. enhances consumer protection for homebuyers

July 21, 2022 9:30 AM
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Hupacasasth First Nation tapping trees for sticky gold

July 18, 2022 1:00 PM
Hupacasasth First Nation tapping trees for sticky gold
Using an innovative approach, the Hupacasath First Nation in Port Alberni is benefiting from nearly $112,000 in funding from the B.C. government as part of the Indigenous Forest Bioeconomy Program.
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Backcountry road closures still active for wildlife recovery

July 15, 2022 10:00 AM
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B.C. encourages parents to register children under 5 for COVID-19 vaccine

July 14, 2022 2:05 PM
B.C. encourages parents to register children under 5 for COVID-19 vaccine
Approximately 208,000 eligible infants and children in British Columbia between six months and four years of age will soon be able to receive vaccine protection against COVID-19.
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British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals

July 19, 2022 9:00 AM
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Tahltan Central Government, B.C. make history under Declaration Act

June 6, 2022 10:38 AM
Tahltan Central Government, B.C. make history under Declaration Act
Tahltan Central Government and the Province have entered into the first consent-based decision-making agreement under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Declaration Act).
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Building momentum: 2021-2022 Declaration Act Annual Report

June 30, 2022 1:00 PM
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Nominate an exceptional citizen for Province’s highest honour

January 20, 2022 8:00 AM
Nominate an exceptional citizen for Province’s highest honour
Nominations are being accepted for the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest honour.
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Outstanding people recognized for service during the pandemic

March 22, 2022 2:30 PM
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British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals

July 19, 2022 9:00 AM
British Columbia trains, recruits more allied health professionals
British Columbians will soon benefit from as many as 322 more allied health professionals supporting their health-care needs as new training seats are added to public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.
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Province launching new centre for agritech innovation

July 21, 2022 9:35 AM
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B.C. minimum wage increases June 1 for lowest paid workers

May 31, 2022 8:30 AM
B.C. minimum wage increases June 1 for lowest paid workers
As of June 1, 2022, B.C.’s lowest paid workers will get a pay boost as the minimum wage increases from $15.20 to $15.65 per hour, which is the highest of any province.
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B.C. expands cancer coverage for firefighters

April 22, 2022 12:30 PM
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Conservation Officer Service achieves largest-ever invasive mussels decontamination

July 9, 2022 9:00 AM
When staff at B.C.’s Invasive Mussel Defence Program were notified that a high-risk watercraft heading for the Lower Mainland appeared to be covered in invasive zebra mussels, inspectors with the Conservation Officer Service (COS) immediately took action.
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Minister’s and parliamentary secretary’s statement on federal decision about salmon farms

June 22, 2022 4:20 PM
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Settlement reached with Purdue Pharma (Canada) for opioid damages

June 29, 2022 9:08 AM
Opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma (Canada) (Purdue Canada) has agreed to a first of its kind settlement in Canada resulting from B.C.-led efforts to recover health-care costs related to the sale and marketing of opioid-based pain medicines.
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New Foundry provides mental-health, substance-use services to youth in the Tri-Cities

July 19, 2022 10:45 AM
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B.C. provides financial assistance for displaced Ukrainians

June 29, 2022 10:15 AM
B.C. provides financial assistance for displaced Ukrainians
Ukrainian citizens arriving in B.C. under the federal Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) can now apply for hardship assistance from the B.C. government.
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Municipalities open cooling centres as heat warnings issued throughout B.C.

July 25, 2022 3:30 PM
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Province launches e-transfer for evacuees

July 27, 2022 11:00 AM
The Province is launching upgrades to Emergency Support Services (ESS), including direct payment for evacuees to help meet their basic needs, including food and clothing.
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Minister Blair announces over $870 million to support disaster recovery and climate resilience in British Columbia

July 18, 2022 1:12 PM
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Supporting co-ops will deliver more services to British Columbians

July 26, 2022 11:15 AM
Supporting co-ops will deliver more services to British Columbians
A new investment of $2 million will support the development and growth of British Columbia’s co-operative businesses, while expanding services for people who use them.
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Funding helps improve food security for women of colour

July 25, 2022 9:30 AM
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Province seeks nominees for Medal of Good Citizenship

July 28, 2022 9:30 AM
Province seeks nominees for Medal of Good Citizenship
British Columbians are encouraged to nominate their fellow citizens who have made outstanding contributions through exceptional service to their communities for this year's Medal of Good Citizenship.
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Province, viaSport partner to take abuse out of the game

July 6, 2022 2:00 PM
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Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain

July 14, 2022 10:45 AM
Improved transit, connected communities on the way with Surrey Langley SkyTrain
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Five-lane interchange breaks ground in Richmond

July 7, 2022 10:50 AM
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Health

Influenza prevention measures to protect patients

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Honourable Adrian Dix

Honourable Adrian Dix

Minister of Health and Minister responsible for Francophone Affairs

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B.C. encourages parents to register children under 5 for COVID-19 vaccine

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B.C. encourages parents to register children under 5 for COVID-19 vaccine
Approximately 208,000 eligible infants and children in British Columbia between six months and four years of age will soon be able to receive vaccine protection against COVID-19.
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Influenza prevention measures to protect patients

https://news.gov.bc.ca/02588

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Monday, August 27, 2012 12:12 PM

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VICTORIA - Health authorities in British Columbia are acting on the advice of Dr. Perry Kendall, B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer, and implementing measures to better protect patients and seniors from being exposed to influenza.

Beginning this year, health care workers who come into contact with patients at publicly-funded health care facilities or in the community, including at long-term-care facilities, will need to get the influenza vaccine, or wear a mask during the flu season.

“Influenza causes more deaths annually than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined, and hospitalized patients are more vulnerable to complications from influenza than the general population,” said Dr. Kendall. “This policy will protect patients. Putting in place consistent policies to prevent influenza from spreading is the right thing to do from a patient safety perspective.”

The policy is in response to low vaccine coverage rates of health-care workers, and is part of comprehensive infection control measures developed by health authorities, acting upon the advice of public-health and patient-safety professionals, in collaboration with the Health Employers Association of BC. Other infection control measures include rapid identification of ill patients, adherence to hand hygiene, cough etiquette, the use of antivirals during outbreaks, and asking staff to stay home when ill.

“Health-care workers and the health-care system have an ethical and professional responsibility to protect vulnerable patients from transmissible diseases,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, director of communicable disease prevention, at the BC Centre for Disease Control. “Patients should not have to worry that they could get sick from their care provider. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect patients, as well as health care workers themselves and their families.”

The new policy applies to all health-care workers including health-authority staff, physicians and residents, volunteers, students, contractors and vendors who come into contact with patients.

Each year, health authorities provide the influenza vaccine for free to all workers, volunteers and students who work with patients, and encourage as many get vaccinated as possible. However, vaccinations rates have historically been less than 50 per cent.

“This decision has been made by all health authorities, acting upon the advice of the Provincial Health Officer, and ensures we are reducing the risk to our patients to the best of our ability,” said Dr. Nigel Murray, president and CEO, Fraser Health.

The influenza vaccine is extremely safe, and is the most effective way to prevent illness from the influenza virus, helping to prevent infection in healthy adults by up to 80 per cent.

“Ensuring that as a health care worker you are up to date on all of your immunizations - especially influenza - is a matter of patient safety,” said Dr. Doug Cochrane, chair of the BC Patient Safety and Quality Council. “People infected with the flu virus can be contagious for at least 24 hours before symptoms appear, so in some cases workers may be unaware they are transmitting the virus to their patients. Influenza is a source of significant complications in health care facilities and long term care homes each year, and health care workers must ensure that they do all they can to reduce patient harms.”

Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization considers influenza vaccination for health care workers to be an essential component of the standard of care, and supports that workers should consider it their responsibility to get their flu shot each year.

A backgrounder follows.

Media contacts:

Ryan Jabs
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)
Provincial Health Services Authority
Patrick Blennerhassett
604 675-7416
Media pager: 604 871-5699

BACKGROUNDER

Office of the Provincial Health Officer
BC Health Authorities
Protecting patients from influenza

  • Influenza causes the most deaths among vaccine-preventable diseases, and hospitalized patients are more vulnerable to influenza than members of the general population.
  • In addition to being a quality and safety issue, improved influenza vaccination coverage helps to reduce rates of employee illness. One study in a health care setting showed absenteeism related to respiratory disease reduced by 28 per cent.
  • Flu shots are traditionally available around Thanksgiving each year. Flu season typically runs from late November/early December through to the end of March. 
  • Studies have demonstrated that health care workers who are ill with influenza frequently continue to work. In one study, 59 per cent of workers who tested positive for recent influenza infection could not recall having the flu, suggesting that many continued to work while unaware they were ill, potentially transmitting infection to their patients.
  • Virginia Mason Medical Centre in Seattle was the first health care organization in the United States to implement a mandatory influenza vaccination policy in 2004. Since then, other organizations have implemented similar policies, including: the Hospital Corporation of America (163 facilities throughout the US); Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Emory University Hospital and multiple community hospitals. 
  • In 2009, New York became the first state to require flu vaccine by health care personnel.
  • B.C. will be the first jurisdiction in Canada to implement this provincewide policy. In the United States, there are many health care organizations and jurisdictions that have made this change to protect patients. 
  • Everyone can get the flu shot to protect them from getting the flu. In British Columbia, the flu shot is provided for free to those at higher risk of severe influenza illness and those who are close contacts or caregivers to people at high risk. 
  • It is especially important for people who are at increased risk of complications from influenza to get the flu shot each year. 
  • People who may be at increased risk include: seniors, people with chronic health conditions (especially heart or lung conditions), aboriginal people, or those with compromised immune systems.

Media contacts:

Ryan Jabs
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)
Provincial Health Services Authority
Patrick Blennerhassett
604 675-7416
Media pager: 604 871-5699

https://news.gov.bc.ca/02588

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