By Ashley on October 16, 2014
The VEC is proud to announce that during the Family Flu Vaccine Clinic (open Oct 27th-Dec 19th) we vaccinated nearly 2,000 visitors and patients to BC Children’s & Women’s Hospital!
We were happy to provide a convenient location for patients and visitors to be immunized against the flu. Thank you for your support!
**Clinic is now closed for the season**
If you haven’t received your flu vaccine yet, click here for the Flu Clinic Locator
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Family Flu Vaccine Clinic open: Oct 27th – Dec 19th 2014
Location: Ambulatory Care Centre (the building with the Starbucks, basement level).
Hours: 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
The Family Flu Vaccine Clinic is offering free flu vaccine to patients, family members, and visitors to BC Children’s & Women’s Hospital (C&W). No appointment necessary! Signs will be posted in the main lobby giving detailed directions of our clinic location.
Flu vaccine and nasal spray flu vaccine (Flumist® – for eligible patients) is available at the Clinic which is located within the hospital. An on-site nurse vaccinator will advise about who needs flu protection and which vaccine is best suited for each person. The Vaccine Evaluation Center is organizing the Clinic in collaboration with C&W and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).
Why are we providing a free flu vaccine clinic at the hospital?
Children experience the highest rates of seasonal influenza (15%-25%) of any age group and are at highest risk of complications of influenza (especially those patients with chronic medical conditions). Since many “high risk” children pass through the ambulatory clinics of BC Children’s each day, this provides them a convenient opportunity to receive influenza vaccine. Providing influenza vaccination to family members and visitors to patients in the hospital as well maximizes protection of “high risk” children.
Want more facts on the flu and the flu vaccine? Check out this video or the Story of Influenza.
The flu vaccine is also important in pregnancy to protect mom, fetus, and newborn against the flu. Watch the video below for more information.
Posted in Flu, News And Events
By Ashley on September 11, 2014
Diseases that were largely eradicated in the United States a generation ago—whooping cough, measles, mumps—are returning, in part because nervous parents are skipping their children’s shots. NOVA (the highest rated science series on television and the most watched documentary series on public television) has posted a video on PBS called “Vaccines—Calling the Shots” which takes viewers around the world to track epidemics, explore the science behind vaccinations, hear from parents wrestling with vaccine-related questions, and shed light on the risks of opting out.
Video Details: The program examines the science behind vaccinations, the return of preventable diseases, and the risks of opting out.
VACCINES – CALLING THE SHOTS:
Program Description
Posted in News And Events, Slideshow
By Ashley on June 29, 2014
The PHSA+ Awards program was created to recognize and celebrate the passion, dedication and invaluable contributions PHSA staff make every day to PHSA’s vision: Province-wide solutions. Better health.
This was the second cycle of the PHSA+ Awards – the recognition program was launched in the fall of 2012. Over the two month nomination period, PHSA received over 70 nominations from across PHSA – of which only two individuals and two teams were awarded the PHSA+ Award.
The VEC’s Dr. Simon Dobson received a PHSA+ award on June 4, 2014 at the Leadership Town Hall, held at Child and Family Research Centre.
Dr. Dobson leads the B.C. site for the national QUEST HPV study which is a multi-year study reducing the number of doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines from three to two doses. The study is ensuring that two doses work as well as three doses of the HPV vaccine. Dr. Dobson also heads an immunization clinic for children that have had a previous reaction to a vaccine or have allergies that may require special immunization procedures.
Image credit: David Weir
Posted in News And Events, Slideshow
By Ashley on June 23, 2014
The Applegarth Staff Recognition Award was conceptualized by Dr. Derek Applegarth, a popular member of the Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology at BCCH, and currently Professor Emeritus. He proposed that deserving staff be recognized for excellence in personal achievements and outstanding contributions to the Faculty of Medicine and thus, the inception of the Applegarth Staff Recognition Awards. Three awards are granted annually: two in the Administrative category, and one in the Technical/Research category.
Gordean Bjornson, Research Administrator at the Vaccine Evaluation Center (VEC), is the 2014 recipient of the U.B.C Faculty of Medicine, Applegarth Staff Service Award in the Administration category. Gordean come to work for Dr. David Scheifele (now, Director of the VEC) in 1983. In 1988, she worked with Drs. Scheifele and Tingle on the establishment of the VEC, the first such academic entity in Canada. The VEC is recognized as a leading vaccine research center in the country and its model of operation has been replicated both in Canada and internationally. Since 2000, Gordean has also been the Administrator for the Canadian Association for Immunization Research and Evaluation (CAIRE) whose office is located at the VEC. Working with other vaccinologists in Canada, CAIRE facilitates research collaboration and networking among Canada’s vaccinologists. In her role with CAIRE she has helped to conceptualize and organize numerous research-oriented workshops, consultations with vaccine manufacturers and educational initiatives.
Gordean has represented both the VEC and CAIRE on the planning committees for the past three Canadian Immunization Conferences and two workshops to identify research priorities for new vaccines in Canada.
Gordean has co-authored 29 peer-reviewed publications and as first author in five.
Congratulations, Gordean!
Posted in News And Events, Slideshow
By Ashley on April 28, 2014
Note: Your information will be kept private and confidential. Your information will only be used for the purposes of the VEC newsletter distribution list and for being informed about VEC studies.
Posted in Uncategorized
By Ashley on April 7, 2014
This free APP developed by Immunize Canada is designed for all Canadians to help keep track of personal and family vaccine records. The APP has the ability to:
- Easily record and store vaccine information
- Access vaccination schedules
- Manage vaccination appointments for the entire family
- Access information about recommended and routine vaccinations
- Receive alerts about disease outbreaks
Click on the image (to the left) to learn how to download the APP
Posted in News And Events, Slideshow
By Ashley on April 1, 2014
VEC’s Phd/MD student, Gareth Mercer, and clinical trial unit manager, Arlene Kallos, have landed in Cape Town, South Africa this week to visit the research centre at Tygerberg Hospital. They will be assisting the Cape Town team in finalizing the database entries (first set of study analyses) of the Mother Infant Health Study (MIHS).
The MIHS is following the health of a group of HIV-uninfected children born to HIV-infected mothers and a comparison group of children born to HIV-uninfected mothers in Cape Town, South Africa. The primary goal is to determine whether, during infancy, HIV-exposed, uninfected children are more likely to be hospitalized for infection than HIV-unexposed children. The MIHS is a collaboration between researchers at CFRI (lead by Dr. David Speert) and at Tygerberg Hospital and Stellenbosch University in Cape Town (led by Drs. Monika Esser and Mark Cotton). It is primarily funded by a Major Thematic Grant from The Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies.
Posted in News And Events, Slideshow
By Ashley on March 25, 2014
CTV News interviewed Dr. David Scheifele, who runs the Vaccine Evaluation Center here at B.C. Children’s Hospital, about current hot topics regarding vaccines. “It’s challenging. It’s frustrating. We have to continually work at educating the public as to the risks that these diseases continue to pose, and the benefits of getting the vaccine,” said Dr. David Scheifele, The video series are posted below. Read the full CTV News article here.
Dr. Scheifele answers your questions about vaccines in these short video clips:
Can I rely on “natural immunity” to protect my child? | CTV Vancouver News
Do vaccines cause autism? | CTV Vancouver News
How do we know vaccines are safe? | CTV Vancouver News
What are the odds of getting sick from the measles vaccine? | CTV Vancouver News
Are vaccine industry profits driving widespread vaccination? | CTV Vancouver News
B.C. vaccination rates drop amid ‘misinformation’ campaign | CTV Vancouver News
Posted in News And Events, Slideshow
By Ashley on March 3, 2014
Gareth is a UBC student in the combined MD/PhD program, offered jointly by the Faculty of Medicine and Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. He has been undertaking his thesis at the VEC since 2010 alongside his supervisor, Julie Bettinger.
Continue reading “VEC Student Spotlight: Gareth Mercer”
Posted in Slideshow, Uncategorized
By erousseau on January 10, 2013
Congratulations to Dr. David Scheifele for his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada!
As Director of the Vaccine Evaluation Center, Dr. Scheifele has been a leader in vaccine research since 1989. A distinguished lecturer and passionate clinician, his appointment reflects his outstanding academic achievements and his dedication to improve the health of Canadians through the prevention of infectious disease.
The Order of Canada is one of the greatest civilian honours in our country. For more information on the Order of Canada, visit www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=14904.
Posted in News And Events, Slideshow
