In preparation for flu season, Manitoba is asking health-care workers to step forward and share their expertise at vaccination clinics, in intensive-care units or in northern or remote communities, Health Minister Theresa Oswald announced.
“Manitoba’s health-care workers have already done a tremendous job responding to H1N1 and we can count on their knowledge, compassion and care during the upcoming flu season,” said Oswald. “Many other Manitobans have skills that will help strengthen our flu preparation and response, so I encourage them to respond to our call to action.”
Manitoba is looking for front-line health-care providers and support staff including:
• doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners (registered or retired) to administer vaccinations or to work in immunization clinics;
• people who have had experience working in immunization clinics, either to greet or register visitors;
• nurses and other health-care providers with experience in intensive-care units; and
• doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners willing to provide medical support in remote or northern communities.
Health-care workers will be matched with regional health authorities based on their skills and local need. To get more information or to register, health-care workers should call 1-866-799-0174 or email calltoaction@gov.mb.ca. Ads are running across the province to encourage health-care providers to work at upcoming H1N1 flu vaccination clinics.
Manitoba continues to prepare for the expected return of H1N1 flu this fall and winter and recently announced a five-point, $47-million plan outlining the provincial response. An H1N1 information campaign is now underway and a guide to help Manitobans identify flu symptoms and decide when to seek care has been delivered to all households. A print and radio campaign focused on prevention and self-care has also begun. New guidance and information continues to be distributed and posted on the provincial flu web site at www.manitoba.ca.
