Monday, 19 September 2005, 11:00 GMT 12:00 UK
Nurses 'not taking flu vaccine'
Vaccine
Many staff did not think they needed the flu jab
Vulnerable elderly patients could be at risk of catching flu from nurses
who have not been vaccinated against the virus, a report has said.

Research at two Liverpool hospitals found less than 8% of healthcare
workers had annual jabs.

But more than half had taken sick leave due to flu-type symptoms in the
previous three months.

The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, did not name
the hospitals where staff were surveyed.

The report's authors said increased vaccination of hospital staff would
ease staffing crises during the winter.


Many of the respondents appeared to demonstrate general apathy towards the
flue vaccination
Dr Helen Canning

Of the 144 staff interviewed, 29% said they did not need to be vaccinated
and 18% said they were not aware of the vaccine.

Only 10% knew the vaccine would protect patients against the serious
complications of flu and 11% of staff were concerned about side effects of
the jab.

"Vaccinating healthcare workers against flu can reduce staff sickness and
winter pressures as well as reducing deaths among frail older patients,"
said Dr Helen Canning, who carried out the research at the University of
Liverpool.

"Our study found that the main reason for poor vaccine uptake was a basic
lack of knowledge and understanding of the vaccine, especially regarding
benefits and side-effects.

"Many of the respondents appeared to demonstrate general apathy towards the
flue vaccination."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/4260138.stm