We would like to call upon health professionals to take advantage of the free flu jab that is available to them, and remind those who are deemed most at risk from the serious consequences of flu to also get immunised.

Take up of the free vaccine remains low amongst health professionals - according to our research only 16% had the free vaccine last year. We are hoping that this year this figure will be greatly increased as people acknowledge the duty of care to themselves and their patients.

Up to 4,000 deaths a year are attributable to flu, so it is important to protect those who are most vulnerable. Medical professionals as well as people who have serious respiratory, heart, liver or renal disease, diabetes, or anyone who has lowered immunity as a result of disease or treatment, and all those aged over 65, are all entitled to a free jab.

We are asking for your support to ensure that the following messages reach health professionals in England:

• If you are a frontline NHS staff member then you should be vaccinated to stop you passing on the virus to patients
• Encourage those who have serious respiratory, heart, liver or renal disease, diabetes, or anyone who has lowered immunity as a result of disease or treatment, and all those aged over 65 to get a free flu jab - the
  consequences of these people getting flu can be very serious or even cause death
• The vaccination lasts for up to 12 months, so you need a flu jab each year

Suzanne Colmer
Department of Health
Email: suzanne@forster.co.uk