In a new press release by the Department of Health, hospital nurses and midwives are among the health workers least likely to have the seasonal flu jab. According to the latest seasonal flu vaccine uptake reports, the number of healthcare workers (categorized by occupation) who took advantage of scientific advice and opted for the seasonal flu vaccination last winter is available for the first time.

Participants included:

  • 30 per cent of nurses, including hospital nurses and midwives
  • 42.5 per cent of GP practice nurses
  • 38.2 per cent of GPs
  • 37 per cent of doctors excluding GPs.

The report shows, that despite increasing numbers of healthcare workers opting for the flu vaccination (26.4% during the winter of 2009 compared with 34.7 % during the winter of 2010), the majority of nurses working with the most critically ill over the winter months and midwives working with pregnant women did not get immunized against flu with its potentially life threatening complications, passing the virus onto patients and family.

The report also provides data with regard to the breakdown of the seasonal flu vaccine uptake for patients in groups that are at-risk, such as age and condition, revealing that only 25.2 % of six months to two year olds at-risk were vaccinated last winter compared with 51.7 per cent of 16 to 65 year olds at risk.

Last winter, individuals at-risk were 11 times more likely to die from seasonal flu compared with those who had no underlying health problems. This risk increased for some specific health conditions, especially for the highest risk group, i.e. those suffering from chronic liver disease, who had a 48 times higher potential risk of dying if they developed flu compared with individuals with no underlying health conditions. Only 41.8 % of chronic liver disease patients were vaccinated compared with 68.4 % of diabetes sufferers.

Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies urgently advised:

“NHS staff face increased pressure over winter, especially if there is a severe flu season. They keep the NHS running and it is vital that they protect themselves, their patients and families from the potentially serious effects of flu that they are exposed to over the winter period.

It is never too early to start thinking about flu. So as NHS staff return from their holidays, I urge them to plan ahead and get vaccinated.”

Public Health Minister Anne Milton supports Dame Davies advise, commenting:

“I urge all of our dedicated nurses, especially those who work with the sickest patients and midwives working with pregnant women, to protect themselves and their patients from flu. I hope these figures will provide a reminder for all healthcare professionals to start thinking about flu now and plan when they will get vaccinated this year.”

Dr. Peter Carter, Chief Executive & General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing adds:

“Patients and healthcare staff suffer when nurses are off sick. It is vital that nurses do all they can to take responsibility for their own health and of those around them. The RCN will be working with our members to ensure they have access to all of the relevant information to enable them to make the right decision about the uptake of the vaccine.

Employers should never force staff to be vaccinated. Equally, employers and vaccination services need to work together to ensure that the whole process is as simple and as effective as possible.”

RCM Deputy General Secretary Louise Silverton stressed:

“Midwives are strongly advised to encourage all pregnant women to be vaccinated against seasonal flu. In addition midwives as key health workers should themselves seriously consider being vaccinated to prevent transmission of influenza to the women for whom they care and also to their own families.”

Written by Petra Rattue