Highest number of NHS staff ever get flu jab

A greater proportion of NHS staff than ever before have been vaccinated against the flu this winter, figures show.

A total of 533,389 front line staff in England – 55.6% of the total – have already received a flu jab, according to Public Health England.

The staff immunisation rate is already 5% greater than the close of winter last year, when 50.6% were vaccinated by the end of February.

‘Amazing and creative’

NHS Employers (NHSE) runs the annual flu fighter campaign, which was the topic of a Nursing Standard feature in October.

NHSE chief executive Danny Mortimer said: ‘We want to thank the amazing and creative staff throughout the NHS who volunteer their time to promote these lifesaving vaccines. This will help keep staff healthy this winter and reduce the risk to patients.’

The first #jabathon campaign is being run this month to encourage take-up of the vaccine in December, when it is normally slower.

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