A surge by colleagues in our Medicine Division has them currently best for 'flu jab takeup.
In the tussle for the top they've knocked F&SS into second place with Community, Surgery, Corporate, Estates division behind them.
In Medicine 63% of doctors are now vaccinated and that is the best performance for any division for frontline doctors.
A clinical director has also made an emotional appeal to colleagues to have their jabs after a woman died in ICU at Calderdale.
Pnt Laloe, consultant anaesthetist has written to more than 180 colleagues saying: "In our three departments of ENT, ophthalmology & max-fac, we are missing an opportunity to provide safer care. Our flu jab uptake is poor and that worries me. I highly recommend you to all get your flu jabs as soon as possible, if you haven’t done so already. A few weeks ago, with another anaesthetic colleague, I was caring for a lady who was the sickest patient I’ve seen this month." She tested positive for flu and also had other co-morbities and sadly died in ICU.
He continues stressing about the nature of the strain of flu which is a bad one and which Australia has already experienced during their winter and how changing nature of the vaccination makes it effective.
He adds: " We know from countries in the southern hemisphere, like Australia where they had their winter during our summer, that the flu is bad this year. You cannot catch the flu from the flu jab. Please protect yourself, or if not yourself, then at least do it for your patients, family, friends and us your colleagues. The flu jab also reduces virus transmission. #herdimmunity
"I know some of you will have anxieties around getting the jab. Whether it’s because of the needle, or thinking you’ve not had the flu before so you’ll miss it again. The good news is that our vaccinators are all attentive and caring, just like you, and can help you with the process."
For more information see Public Health England PDF
He says colleagues should:
- Get their flu jab. Ring Occupational Health CRH ext 2037. Speak to your line manager or any of the sisters or matrons who will be able to get vaccinators to visit your area. Drop-in sessions can also be found on the intranet page here: Vaccination sessions
- Tell us you’ve had your jab. If you’ve already had your flu jab with your GP please make sure you complete this form so we can know that you’ve already had the jab: Self declaration
Christine Bouckley from Occupational Health Christine.Bouckley@cht.nhs.uk will answer questions.
**After two months our colleagues at Leeds Teaching Hospital are setting the pace leading the way in this year's flu campaign having already achieved 76% uptake among frontline colleagues.
Mid-Yorks are 61%, Bradford are 56% and CHFT is currently heading towards 58%.
See our 'flu pages for more information on the facts of having the 'flu vaccination - those excuses people use to avoid having it are often myths!