Will the Minister provide a statement on what actions he is taking to ensure there is an improved annual uptake of the Flu vaccination by all hospital staff in our health boards in Wales?
There has been significant progress in recent years to improve flu vaccine uptake in NHS staff (with direct patient contact). Last season saw six health boards/ trusts exceeding the 50% target, and the overall uptake across Wales increased to 47. 2%, up from 44. 3% in the previous year. This season, one health board has already reported reaching the 50% target. I hosted a Flu Summit in September this year and stressed the importance of this element of the campaign with Health Board representatives. The Chief Medical Officer has also written to senior leaders in NHS asking them to actively promote the benefits of flu vaccination to staff to help protect themselves and their patients. Information and resources to support staff vaccination is available from the “Beat Flu” web pages at http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/75321