Health workers are urged to take up the offer of vaccination

Published on Wednesday 21 October 2009 21:56

LEADING medical groups joined forces last night to encourage NHS staff to have the swine flu jab to protect both themselves and patients.

Concerns have been raised that many staff will not have the vaccine, as only a fifth accept the seasonal flu jab. A survey earlier this month suggested almost half of nurses may not take up the vaccine.

Yesterday, Scotland's chief medical officer, Harry Burns, led calls for staff to be vaccinated.

"Not only are frontline workers more at risk of infection, but they could also spread the bug to vulnerable patients," he said.

"We expect this to be a busy winter, which makes it even more important that staff do all they can to keep well.

"As I'm not currently working on the health frontline, I'm not in the priority groups. I was, I'd certainly be getting it."

Dr Brian Keighley, chairman of the British Medical Association in Scotland, acknowledged that vaccination was an individual choice and staff could not be forced to have the jab.

But, he said: "Health professionals are at the frontline of providing care during a potential pandemic and it is important that they are protected.

"Current evidence suggests that the risk of experiencing a complication as a result of contracting swine flu far outweighs the risk of receiving the vaccine.

"I encourage all members to consider the available information and accept the opportunity to be vaccinated."

Theresa Fyffe, director of the Royal College of Nursing Scotland, urged all nurses and frontline staff to get vaccinated against swine flu as soon as possible, adding: "While most cases of swine flu are mild, it can lead to complications for people with underlying health problems."

Dr Ken Lawton, Chair of Royal College of GPs Scotland, said: "Vulnerable patients in particular will benefit from this programme which will enable us to begin protecting patients from future risk of infection."

Gillian Smith, the Royal College of Midwives' director for Scotland, encouraged all of their members to carefully consider the information regarding vaccination and accept the opportunity to be vaccinated, to protect themselves and the mothers and babies they provide care to.

Michael Fuller, the Unite union's Scottish health secretary, welcomed the opportunity for NHS staff to be vaccinated.