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The NHS wants all front-line health workers to have a flu shot this winter, warning that staff who refuse the vaccine may be banned from treating patients.
Last winter, nearly one-third of the NHS Trust's front line officers at Plymouth Hospital have not been vaccinated – during the worst flu season in ten years .
Public Health England figures reveal that 1,609 front-line health workers at the Plymouth Hospitals Trust did not receive the influenza vaccine between September 2017 and February 2018.
Of the 5,022 doctors, nurses, clinical staff and support staff in the trust who have direct contact with patients, 3,413 actually received the vaccine, a participation rate of 68%.
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It's just below the English average of 69[%Maisloinderrièrelescibles[percentbutfarbehindtargets[%maisloinderrièrelescibles[percentbutfarbehindtargets
In a letter to trusts earlier this month, the NHS praised trusts that exceeded the 90% coverage last year.
However, the vaccination rate varied considerably between trusts. Wye Valley Trust in Herefordshire and the Eastern Lancashire Hospital Trust recorded the highest rates, with 92% of front-line workers vaccinated. At the Essex Partnership University Trust, the adoption rate was only 39%.
The NHS said making "near universal" vaccination aims to protect patients in high-risk clinical settings, such as neonatal intensive care and cancer services, and limit their exposure to unvaccinated staff.
Up to 50% of people with the flu may not even know it – but for patients with weakened immune systems or breathing problems, flu can be life threatening.
The NHS said trusts should "take appropriate measures to maintain the security of service", including the transfer of unvaccinated workers from high-risk patients.
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He highlighted several reasons why health workers with direct contact with patients should be vaccinated, including recent NICE guidelines describing a link between lower rates of staff immunization and an increase in deaths.
He also stated that influenza-related staff illness puts pressure on other staff members.
Public service union Unison, representing health workers, said the NHS should encourage staff to get the flu shot, but not make it mandatory.
Sara Gorton, Health Officer at Unison, said, "We need to understand why immunization rates vary a lot between different health organizations.
"Some are struggling to recruit teams trained to administer the jab to staff working in remote or varied locations."
She added: "The health staff may choose not to take the jab for fear of allergic reactions or phobia around the needles."
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Jane Cummings, head nurse at NHS England, said the "myths" still linger around the flu vaccine, the "big" being that it gives people the flu.
She said: "By being vaccinated against the flu, health care workers can protect themselves, their families, colleagues and patients, by ensuring a healthy workforce and reducing pressure on services. Winter."
Public Health England has stated that it encourages professional health organizations to take steps to increase vaccine uptake.
PHE's Medical Director, Professor Paul Cosford, said, "Trusts and health care workers have the dual responsibility of getting rates as high as possible."
Who is eligible for a free flu shot and why?
- People aged 65 and over – You are eligible for the flu vaccine this year (2016-2017) if you are 65 years of age or older on March 31, 2017 – that is, you were born or before the 31st March 1952. 65 March 31, 2017, you are eligible. It's free because you need it. The elderly are one of the most vulnerable groups to the effects of the flu.
- People with long-term health problems – COPD; bronchitis, emphysema; Diabetes; cardiac kidney disease or liver or having suffered a stroke, the flu in addition to health problems like these can easily turn into something very serious and could land you in the hospital. Do not reject the flu vaccine. It's free because you need it.
- caregivers – If you are the primary caregiver of a senior or disabled person, you may qualify for the free flu shot, talk to your doctor.
- Pregnant women – The flu shot is the safest way to protect yourself and your baby against the flu. Pregnancy naturally weakens the immune system and as a result, flu can cause serious complications for you and your baby. You may be less able to fight infections, which increases the risk of getting sick as a result of an influenza.
- Children aged two, three and four on August 31, 2016 – that is, children born between September 1, 2011 and August 31, 2014 – The flu shot can help protect your child from the flu and reduce the risk of spreading flu.
- Children of school years one, two and three – The flu vaccine can help protect your child from the flu and reduce the risk of spreading the flu.
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