Thursday 27 September 2012
The Health and Social Services Department is encouraging all its staff to be vaccinated against seasonal influenza. UK studies have shown that the seasonal influenza vaccination lowers the risk of influenza infection and, when healthcare workers are vaccinated, lowers the rates of influenza-like illness, hospitalisation and mortality in vulnerable patients in long term health settings.
Frontline healthcare workers involved in direct patient care are encouraged to receive the seasonal influenza vaccination to protect themselves, their families and the patients.
Infection prevention is the responsibility of every member of the HSSD and all staff are being invited to have the vaccine.
Staff in the Department are supporting the 2020 Vision for the future of health and social care by promoting a healthy life style, improving services and protecting vulnerable patients. These objectives are met by encouraging the uptake of the influenza vaccine amongst staff who will educate colleagues, patients and relatives about the vaccine.
The influenza vaccine is a very safe and effective vaccine which is synthetically engineered and tolerated by most people. The Occupational Health team, the Infection Prevention and Control team and a number of qualified nurses trained as Flu link nurses will deliver the vaccine to HSSD staff throughout October.
Influenza virus is spread very quickly in the community and in healthcare and residential care. The virus spreads rapidly through small droplets, coughed or sneezed into the air, by an infected person. Not all people who have the virus have symptoms or aware that they are infectious, these people can act as reservoir for the virus to spread quickly in the community.
The General practitioners have received this year's seasonal influenza vaccine and are strongly supportive of patients in the at risk groups receiving the influenza vaccine. This follows the standard advice in the UK and internationally. The flu can be serious for some in the winter. For high-risk patients, the vaccine can prevent flu, its complications, and often prolonged hospital admissions.
Members of the public can book an appointment in one of the special 'flu clinics at GP's practices during the next two months to ensure good 'flu virus protection when the expected season starts in November - January .
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Contact Information
Dr Stephen Bridgman
Director of Public Health
