Seasonal Flu Vaccinations for Healthcare Professionals by Martin Wilson, Deputy National Director, NHS England & NHS Improvement

A copy of the evidence base from Paul Cosford (Director for Health Protection & Medical Director, Public Health England) in relation to influenza infection and protection in healthcare settings can be accessed here. We would encourage you to consider this information including that which relates to: patient groups at particularly high risk of complications of influenza; where the patient group is unlikely to respond well to vaccine themselves; and where staff members provide intense individual care which involves close prolonged contact.

We wish to continue working closely with you to consider what this evidence means for good clinical and wider professional practice for your members, and how best we can collectively encourage maximum flu vaccination uptake.

We will be arranging a meeting of College representatives and members of the national emergency pressures panel (NEPP) in the next 2-3 weeks to consider and recommend next steps in relation to these important issues.

Martin Wilson
Director of Strategy – Emergency and Elective Care
Deputy National Director of Urgent and Emergency Care

NHS England and NHS Improvement