Success of flu jab campaign for hospital staff

November 16, 2001

A campaign to inoculate West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust staff against influenza in time for winter has been hailed a success after around 500 staff signed up to get the jab.

All 2500 staff working for the Trust, including volunteers, were invited to have a 'flu inoculation in a note attached to their September payslips.

"Folding 2500 pieces of paper is one of the most boring tasks I have had to do in my working life, but it has obviously got results as the take up is much better this year than last," said Elaine Ramsden, occupational health nurse advisor.

The immunisation campaign began in early October, and so far 350 staff have had their jab.  The remaining staff will be inoculated over the next few weeks.

"Immunising staff against 'flu is all part of our programme of planning for the winter period," said Elaine.  "The last thing we need over a busy winter is to have a lot of staff off sick with 'flu.  Inoculating staff against the virus is about protecting standards of patient care as much as it is about safeguarding the health of our staff.  Obviously hospital employees are more exposed to harmful viruses and bacteria than the general population because of their working environment, and we want to do all we can to avoid illnesses which may be contracted at work.

"Public health experts are suggesting that there might be an outbreak of Sydney 'flu this winter, a particularly virulent strain. This makes it even more important that hospital staff get the jab."