Southern Trust encourages staff to take the Flu Vaccination

The Southern Trust is supporting the seasonal flu vaccination programme by urging staff and in particular frontline staff to protect themselves, their patients, clients and families by getting the flu vaccination.   

From 30 September health and social care workers can attend drop-in Flu Vaccination Clinics and pick up a tea or coffee, across the Trust.

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Vaccinations will also be available on all wards and Departments to make it more convenient for those staff who have difficulty attending a clinic.

Dr Angela Higgins, Interim Head of Occupational Health in the Trust said, “Flu occurs every year, usually in the winter. It is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus.

“Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, aching muscles, cough and sore throat – and because flu is a virus, antibiotics won’t help.

“The Flu protection only lasts for one flu season, so it is important to get vaccinated every year, ideally in October or early November to be ready to fight off infection.

“As it takes about two weeks for the vaccination to reach maximum protection, it is important to get your jab before flu starts circulating to make sure it works.

“This jab is given to millions of people every year and the side effects are rare.

“For most, the worst effects they can expect are a sore arm and occasionally some tiredness or headaches.

She added, “As health care providers, we have a duty to protect our patients and clients by protecting ourselves so it is important for us all, particularly those delivering frontline care and in contact with vulnerable people to have the flu vaccination.”

For a full schedule of Vaccination Clinics, staff can visit the Trust Intranet site or contact the Occupational Health Team on Tel: 028 3756 4800.

For information on seasonal flu see www.fluawareni.info 

This site provides a comprehensive guide to flu, including information for the public on who is most at risk, who needs a seasonal flu vaccine, how to get the vaccine and what to do if you think you have the flu, as well as information on prevention of further infection.

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Posted by NewryTimes News on Sep 25 2019. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry