Flu Vaccination Programme 2016-2017

06 September 2016

Every year the Trust makes the flu vaccine available to all staff and this year the Infection Control Lead (ICL) is once again managing the programme for delivery.

Red Flu Banner The flu vaccination programme within SECAmb will commence on the 16^th September 2016 and this year we will once again be utilising local Flu Leads for each Operating Unit to make the vaccine available to all staff. The emphasise this year will be to try and vaccinate as many staff before the end of October 2016 before we see the usual increase in operational activity during the winter months and to ensure our staff are lessening the risk of spreading the flu virus to patients, work colleagues and their families.

Last year’s programme saw an uptake in SECAmb of 61.4% compared to the National figure of 50.8% for Frontline Healthcare Staff in the NHS and the Department of Health’s target for this year is still 75%. SECAmb was also the top performing ambulance service for the year – see table below:

Top three ambulance service trusts:

Ambulance Trust	1st September 2015 - 1st February 2016	1st September 2014 - 28th February 2015
South East Coast Ambulance Service	61.4 % uptake	55.8 % uptake
London Ambulance Service	52.7 % uptake	44.0 % uptake
East Midlands Ambulance Service	51.2 % uptake	49.3 % uptake

The flu vaccinations page has been updated with this year’s list of Flu Leads, evidence based information on why it is important that frontline healthcare workers have the annual flu vaccine, posters and banners for your e-mail signature that can all be downloaded for use.

If anyone wants to help with the vaccinations this year please contact your local Flu Lead who can provide you with all the relevant information and training package.