Health workforce urged to get their flu jabs for winter

AS we head towards winter and the flu season frontline healthcare workers are being encouraged to get vaccinated to ensure they don’t catch the flu or pass it on to patients.

Historically flu jab uptake among hospital staff in West Yorkshire is high with 77.9% of staff being vaccinated last year compared to 68.7% nationally.

Getting a flu jab is the best way to protect against flu and it is very important that staff, especially those who come into contact with patients, get vaccinated.

Healthcare workers are more likely to catch flu because they are exposed to patients who have it and if they do get it they run the risk of passing it on to patients who can become seriously ill if they contract flu.

Sally Eapen-Simon, Screening and Immunisation Lead for NHS England in West Yorkshire, said: “It is vitally important in order to prevent the spread of flu, especially to the most vulnerable that front line staff get vaccinated.

“We’ve done really well in West Yorkshire in previous years with some of the highest uptake in the country among staff, potentially preventing thousands of people from getting the flu and we want to keep that up.

“As well as limiting the spread, being vaccinated gives everyone the best chance of avoiding flu, so I would say to staff and the public if you want to avoid an illness which can be really nasty make an appointment to get your flu jab at your GP practice or at a local pharmacy to ensure you are as protected as you can be.”

People who are over 65, are pregnant, have certain medical conditions, are living in a care home and those who receive a carers allowance will receive a letter inviting them to an appointment for a free flu jab.

Members of the public can find out more about getting vaccinated by speaking to their GP or local pharmacist, or visiting nhs.uk/fluvaccine