UBC Okanagan Sees Increased Demand for Campus Flu Shots

It has been 10 years since UBC Okanagan held its first flu clinic, and since then there has been a 780 per cent increase in attendees.

The first flu clinic saw 92 people take part and this year, 810 people took advantage of the on-campus clinic. The campus flu clinic is offered annually through a partnership with UBCO’s School of Nursing, UBC’s Risk Management Services, and the Southern Medical Program. Representatives from Safeway Pharmacy were also on hand to help out with the immunizations.

“While a portion of the increase we are seeing can be attributed to the growth of our campus, it’s clear that awareness is resulting in more people deciding to protect themselves and others from influenza,” said Gord Binsted, dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Development. “We look forward to increasing the awareness and the number of flu shots given on campus in the years to come.”

This year’s flu clinic took place on campus on November 4^th and 9^th and flu shots were available on a first-come, first-service basis. Additional clinics were held for nursing students on November 17^th and 18^th.

“Our nursing students possess a wide variety of knowledge and skills that prepare them to partner in community health initiatives such as flu clinics,” said Sheila Epp, acting director of UBC Okanagan’s School of Nursing. “These flu clinics provide additional opportunities for experiential learning as well as assisting them with their goal of increasing the overall health and wellness of our campus.”

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, there were about 8,000 reported hospitalizations due to influenza and 600 reported influenza-related deaths in 2014-15.