Staff flu vaccination campaign kicks off at Southern DHB
Southern DHB staff are being encouraged to follow the lead of the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Nigel Millar and get the flu vaccine, as part of the DHB’s annual flu vaccination campaign, which started yesterday (30 April 2018).
Dr Millar received his free flu vaccine yesterday at the start of the DHBs internal staff flu vaccination campaign, the aim of which is to vaccinate 80 percent of the DHB’s 4633 staff.
“All DHB staff are eligible to get the flu vaccination free of charge, and we want as many of them as possible to do their bit to provide safe patient care and protect their patients, colleagues and their families and friends,” says Dr Millar.
“By having the flu vaccination our staff are helping to protect our hospitals and the local community from a serious flu outbreak. Flu can be a very serious illness, with the very young, the vulnerable and the elderly particularly at risk.”
The DHB is reminding staff that the best thing they can do to provide the best care for their patients is to have the flu vaccination and keep healthy in the run up to winter. It also helps to prevent staff sickness, which adds additional pressure to the services the DHB provides to patients over the winter season.
Dr Millar says he can’t stress enough how important it is for health professionals to have their flu vaccination. “If we take care of our own health it follows that we will be taking care of our patients’ health.”
The flu vaccine is free for New Zealanders at high risk of complications - pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, and people of any age with long-term health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, respiratory disease (including serious asthma), kidney disease and most cancers.
Although symptoms are similar to the common cold, they tend to be more severe and last for longer. Flu symptoms include a sudden high temperature, headache, general aches and pains, tiredness and a sore throat. They can make you feel so exhausted and unwell that you have to stay in bed and rest until you feel better.
For advice about influenza immunisation visit www.fightflu.co.nz or text FLU to 515.
For free health advice, call Healthline on 0800 611 116.
If you are a member of the public and you would like to get vaccinated please ask your GP practice about the flu vaccination.
Photo of Outreach Immunisation Nurse Nicky Ford giving Dr Millar his flu vaccination.