Who should get influenza vaccine?

In British Columbia, influenza vaccine is recommended for and provided free to:

• People at high risk for complications from influenza (including people aged 65 years and over and people with certain medical conditions)
• People who might transmit influenza to those at high risk for complications (including health care workers)
• People who provide essential community services which bring them into frequent and close contact with people at risk

Who has received influenza vaccine?

Every year in BC, long term care facilities report their influenza immunization coverage numbers for staff and residents. Similarly, acute care hospitals report their influenza immunization coverage numbers for staff to their health authority. In turn, the health authority reports the influenza immunization coverage numbers to the BC Centre for Disease Control.

In 2003 and 2005, the Canadian Community Health Survey collected information about the health status, health care utilization and health determinants of the Canadian population. The survey included questions that allow the calculation of influenza immunization coverage in people aged 65 years and over living in the community, and in 12 to 64 year olds with high risk medical conditions.