This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
England’s top doctors lead Christmas flu jab drive
Professor Stephen Powis, the NHS national medical director, and Professor Yvonne Doyle, Public Health England’s Medical Director, are leading a drive to encourage people to protect themselves from flu over the Christmas period.
This comes after a warning from the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, of an increased risk of flu while the country celebrates Christmas, Hanukah and the New Year.
Public Health England (PHE) has started it Catch It, Bin It, Kill It campaign, to help prevent the spread of the highly infectious disease.
The latest surveillance data from PHE shows that GP consultations for Influenza-like Illness have risen by 24% from week 48 to week 49, while the impact of flu on hospitals was at moderate levels.
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty, said: “The winter flu season has started early in the UK and it is important that everyone who is eligible gets the flu jab from their GP or pharmacist. The vaccine is the best defence against flu whilst practising sensible hygiene can reduce the spread of flu.”
Frontline NHS healthcare workers, as well as care home and home care teams, are also being urged to take up free vaccinations offered through their employers, so that they reduce the risk of passing on an infection to their vulnerable patients.
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