Gritter drivers offered winter flu jabs

Gritter drivers are to be offered free flu vaccinations in an effort to safeguard their vital role during severe weather.

Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership’s integrated joint board (IJB) has outlined the proposals to roll out the jab to the local authority’s “essential” snow-clearing teams in its winter plan for the next year.

The move has been devised to ensure there are fewer staff illnesses, in order to cope with the potential demand as temperatures plummet.

It comes after the region endured one of the worst winters in

“There are a number of areas being explored”

recent memory, where Aberdeenshire Council was forced to go £2 million over budget.

Roads bosses came under fire after towns and villages were left impassable for cars and pedestrians after the traditional surface treatment was left redundant by thawing conditions, rainfall and freezing temperatures overnight.

A report states: “In response to previous experiences of severe weather conditions, there is a commitment for greater collaborative working with transport and infrastructure colleagues.

“There are a number of areas being explored including expanding the current staff flu vaccination scheme to include transport and infrastructure staff associated with snow clearing and gritting.”

Earlier this month the council revealed a number of new schemes to help prepare for the upcoming winter. The plan will be discussed by the partnership’s integration joint board on Wednesday.