ONLY half of the frontline staff working at Oxfordshire’s main hospitals opted to get an in-house flu jab to protect patients last year.

Now the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust has urged all frontline staff at the John Radcliffe, Churchill and Horton hospitals to get the jab before the winter bites.

It is hoped the move will protect the lives of at-risk patients such as babies, the elderly, pregnant women and those with breathing trouble.

It comes after the NHS Employers organisation launched a national campaign to get more doctors and nurses to have vaccinations.

Last month, chief medical officer for England Sally Davies backed the campaign by saying: “It is selfish of healthcare workers if they don’t make sure they are protected or are unable to go into work because they are sick.”

And in Oxford, chief executive of the ORH trust, Sir Jonathan Michael, led by example by getting the flu jab himself.

He said: “I have been vaccinated to ensure I am ready for seasonal flu this winter.

“I would urge everyone who can to take up the offer of a flu vaccination. It’s very important that all of us who work with patients are vaccinated to protect not only ourselves, but also those we care for.”

Last year of 3,343 ORH staff directly involved with patient care, just 1,315 staff decided to have the jab.

The trust refused to say how many staff days were lost due to flu last year.

Although the jab is not compulsory, the hospital trust said it hopes as many staff as possible take up the injection to minimise the risk of flu spreading from staff to colleagues, their families and patients.

Gail Stockford, Immunisation Manager, NHS Oxfordshire, said the best time to get vaccinated was between October and November because this gives the body time to develop immunity.

She added: “Flu can be a serious illness, particularly for those in a clinical at-risk group.

“The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get vaccinated early in the season.

“Paid and unpaid carers should also consider having the seasonal flu influenza vaccination to reduce their chances of getting flu, and continue to help those they look after.”