Frontline staff at Weston General Hospital are being encouraged to have the flu jab to ensure they stay healthy this winter. Led by Director of Nursing Chris Perry (pictured here having her injection) the Trust is rolling out an immunisation programme to protect staff, visitors and patients from the virus.
Staff who deal regularly with patients are being offered the vaccine free of charge. And a specially trained team are running clinics; drop-ins and are even offering award to ward service!
Director of Nursing Chris Perry said “Flu is a really nasty illness. We want to makes sure that our staff and patients are protected against it. Many of our patients at Weston are elderly, with compromised immune systems, and so we need to do all we can to reduce their chances of contracting flu. It also protects our staff from patients who might be carrying the virus. The injection is quick and painless with no side effects and I am encouraging all eligible staff to make sure they have it”.
Winter flu is a highly infectious disease with symptoms that come on very quickly. A bad bout of flu can be much worse than a heavy cold. The most common symptoms of flu are fever, chills, headache, aches and pains in the joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness. In most cases, the symptoms are quite mild, but in others, they can be very serious. Colds are much less serious and usually start gradually with a stuffy or runny nose and a sore throat.
The NHS also offers flu jabs for certain categories of patients. Please go to NHS Choices here http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/pages/who-should-have-fluvaccine.aspx for more information, or talk to your GP or health professional.