Flu season is upon us — and the Hanover and District Hospital is taking steps to ensure its ready.
The Hanover and District Hospital is strongly encouraging staff to roll up their sleeves for the H1N1 shot.
Vice President of Patient Care Services Reta Sproule says its important front line health care workers are vaccinated, not only to protect themselves but also the patients.
Over the last few years the Hanover and District Hospital has boasted a very high compliance rate with flu shots.
Last year — over 80 per cent of staff members received their flu shots.
Other years that number has reached has high as 95 per cent.
Sproule says it is a voluntary program but hopes most of the Hospitals 165 staff members will see fit to receive their H1N1 shot.
The Hospital is also going to begin administering the H1N1 shot to pregnant women attending the Prenatal Clinic.
Sproule says some of these women don’t have a family physician and the Hospital wants to ensure they are protected.
Pregnant women are at a much higher risk of having serious H1N1 complications.
The Hanover and District Hospital will be offering the H1N1 vaccines to staff and pregnant women in early November.
The Health Unit will handle the H1N1 vaccines for the general public.