Scientists have now developed an approved vaccine for the A(H1N1) or Swine Flu virus.
The Chief Medical Officer has recommended that all frontline health professionals should get the vaccine as soon as possible to protect themselves, their patients and their colleagues.
Staff who will be invited to have the vaccine include everyone who has regular clinical contact with patients, and those who are directly involved in patient care.
This includes doctors, dentists, midwives, nurses, paramedics, ambulance drivers, occupational therapists and radiographers, for example. Students and trainees in these disciplines, and volunteers working with patients will also be included.
Eligibility is not about a person’s job title, but the work they are doing: if a person is providing frontline healthcare, they should have the vaccine.
There are three reasons why we want as many frontline staff to get the vaccine as soon as possible:
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First, Swine Flu can lead to serious complications in people with underlying health conditions, so it is important we do everything we can to stop vulnerable patients from catching the virus. Vaccinating front line health professionals is the first line of defence for patients as it reduces the chances of staff transmitting the virus in the course of their duties.
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Second, vaccination can help us protect frontline health professionals from unnecessary risk. Health professionals are more likely to be exposed to Swine Flu than the rest of the population, and whilst Swine Flu is generally mild, even healthy people can become seriously ill from it or even die.
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Third and finally, vaccinating staff is the single most effective way we can prevent disruption to the NHS due to staff absence. This could be a very tough winter for the NHS, as Swine Flu combines with the normal winter pressures we experience.
Vaccination is crucial for keeping absence rates down and allowing the NHS to continue delivering the best possible care for patients in the months ahead.
Information on the vaccination programme, including dates and venues of clinics will be advertised through your own organisations.
For more information go to:
