Over 1,000 members of staff from Norfolk’s community-based NHS Trust have been vaccinated from flu, after its vaccination drive this winter was its most successful ever. The success will help to protect the Trust’s NHS staff and their patients from the winter illness.

A total of 1,091 staff from Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C) have now had the jab. The Trust is thought to be one of the most improved in the country, with latest figures showing that the number of staff vaccinated this year is almost double the number who received the jab during the previous flu vaccination campaign (winter 2012/13) – when 561 of NCH&C’s staff signed up.

By having the vaccination, NCH&C’s staff have helped to reduce their risk of catching flu, as well as spreading it to those around them, including their colleagues, local patients, and their families.

The Trust’s staff, including doctors, nurses, therapists, health visitors and receptionists, have been vaccinated over a three-month campaign, which ran between October and the end of December.

The NHS staff deliver and support a range of services across Norfolk, from nursing and therapy in people’s own homes and community clinics, to health visiting, palliative care, and rehabilitation within one of NCH&C’s community hospitals.

Beth Kimber, NCH&C’s Head of Infection, Prevention, and Control, said: “It is fantastic to see so many of our staff taking up the offer of a flu vaccination. Flu is easily spread from person to person, so by having the jab our staff are helping to protect themselves, their colleagues and their patients.

“This means they and their colleagues are less likely to fall sick themselves during the busy winter period, while their patients, many of whom are elderly or have long-term conditions and are therefore more vulnerable, can also be protected.”

As well as having the jab themselves, NCH&C’s staff have also been vaccinating vulnerable housebound patients during home visits, to ensure they stay protected.

In addition, people in an ‘at risk’ group who are eligible for the free vaccination are encouraged to contact their GP surgery or community pharmacy to discuss accessing the vaccination. This includes everyone aged over 65, pregnant women and people between six months and 65 years-old who have specific health issues. For more information about flu and the vaccine, go to: www.nhs.uk/flu

www.norfolkcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk