Swine flu vaccinations at Barts and The London NHS Trust

28 October 2009

Barts and The London NHS Trust took delivery of the first batch of swine flu vaccine on Friday 23 October and began vaccination of frontline medical staff on Monday 26 October.

Frontline staff include anyone who is directly involved in patient care, and is therefore at increased risk of infection and transmitting infection to vulnerable patients.

Priority is being given, for example, to staff working in Accident and Emergency, Intensive Care and those who care for patients with respiratory conditions. 

Walk-in sessions for staff have been organised at the three hospital sites - Barts, The Royal London and The London Chest Hospital.   

Inpatients, who are unable to obtain their vaccine from their GP and who are considered at greater risk of infection, such as those with compromised immune systems or respiratory problems, are also being offered the vaccine.

Along with all NHS hospitals, the Trust’s plans for the second wave of the swine flu pandemic are fully developed and continually being reviewed.

These are in line with the national worst-case scenario models provided by the Department of Health.

The Trust has plans for doubling critical care capacity and re-allocating staff from non-critical services, should that prove necessary. 

As well as the swine flu vaccine, staff, especially those working in acute care, are being encouraged to take up the offer of the seasonal flu jab, again available at walk-in clnics across  the three main Trust sites.  

Contact: Angela Boon 0207 480 4843 (w) 07708 706591 (mob)

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