Low uptake of flu jab among Laois, Offaly hospital staff
Flu: Staff says they fear side-effects including the flu
Just a third of staff at hospitals in Portlaoise and Tullamore opted to take the flu vaccine last year, but staff say they are opting against vaccination because of side-effects including contracting the flu.
Official figures from the Midland Regional Hospitals in Portlaoise and Tullamore revealed that 405 or 33 % of staff were given the jab in the Offaly hospital while 282 or 33.8% of staff were vaccinated in the Laois hospital.
The two hospitals are part of the HSE's Dublin Midland Hospital Group. Both Midland hospitals had the lowest uptake rates in 2017 and were 10 per cent below average.
Other hospitals in the group include Tallaght, St James, Naas General, the Coombe and St Lukes.
In total, 5,330 members of staff received the flu vaccine across the group last year.
The average uptake rate across all hospitals within the HSE was 43.3%. The group has a whole time staff equivalent of 10,351. Tallaght hospital had the highest rate at nearly 53% followed by the Coombe at 52%.
The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group conducted a survey with staff in Naas General Hospital, the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore and the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, and focus groups in Tallaght University Hospital, following the 2017/2018 flu season. Just 344 staff who took part in the survey on the flu vaccine.
The survey found that 44% of staff got last year’s flu vaccine. The DMHG said the data provide evidence that further awareness and education about the dangers of flu, and the need to get the vaccine, is required.
“The main reasons staff reported getting the vaccine-related to concern for own health, ease of access to vaccine, concern for patient and concern for family.
“The main reasons cited for not getting the vaccine included: concern about the side effects of the vaccine, they stated that they never get the flu, they were concerned about the effectiveness of the flu vaccine and staff reported that they got the flu after they previously got the vaccine,” it said.
The HSE has begun a new awareness campaign to encourage staff to get vaccinated.