Flu Campaign Targets Nurses

September 23 - Employers, unions and the government have joined forces to launch the first national flu vaccination campaign aimed at nurses and other health staff. It follows figures showing that only 34.7 per cent of front-line health workers had seasonal flu vaccinations last year, up from just one quarter in 2009. Take-up varies between trusts from over 90 per cent to under 10 per cent.

The National NHS Staff Seasonal Flu Vaccination Campaign aims to protect as many NHS staff as possible so that they do not transmit flu to colleagues, their families and vulnerable patients for whom the virus can be fatal. Dean Royles, director of the NHS Employers organisation, said: "Flu has a hugely negative impact on the NHS and is fatal in too many cases. By working together we can achieve enough vaccinations to dramatically reduce the current high risk of flu spreading within the NHS. Organisations throughout England are strongly backing this campaign and we believe staff will come out equally strongly in support, especially given the excellent help and backing being provided by their unions. This year's vaccine is the best possible formula to protect people against seasonal flu and H1N1."

Unison is fully behind the campaign, as is the Royal College of Midwives. Louise Silverton, deputy general secretary of the RCM, said: "We encourage midwives and women to have the vaccine to help stop the spread of the illness in hospital and at home. It is often difficult for midwives and other healthcare staff to get to the places where employers are administering the vaccine. We are pleased to see that NHS Employers is making steps to address this and make it easier."

Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer Dame Professor Sally Davies said urged vulnerable people to get their vaccine.

"People often don't think about the flu vaccine until the virus is circulating – but by then it could be too late," she said.

"It takes five to ten days for the vaccine to take effect so it is important to get the flu jab before flu is about. I'd urge everyone eligible for the flu vaccine, particularly those in the clinical at risk groups, to get vaccinated as soon as they are able. Protect yourself early to minimise the risk of getting flu." She added: "It's selfish for healthcare workers, if they don't protect their patients from them infecting them [with flu]; if they don't make sure they are fit to go to work; to look after their families and not take it home too." Last year more than 600 people died from flu and the majority were in clinical at risk groups.