Flu: why our staff are getting vaccinated

Flu will often get better on its own, but it can make some people seriously ill. It is very infectious and spreads easily to other people. The flu vaccine helps protect against flu and is offered every year to people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell.

The vaccine aims to protect against the most common types of flu virus. If you do get flu after being vaccinated, it is likely to be milder and not last as long.

'Why I Got Mine'

There are lots of reasons to get vaccinated. For our staff at Hillingdon and Mount Vernon hospitals, it might be about protecting patients, looking after family and colleagues or helping keep our teams healthy through winter.

Here are some of the reasons our staff are getting their flu jab this year.

Flu campaign graphic

Flu campaign graphic

Flu campaign graphic

Flu campaign graphic

Flu campaign graphic

Flu campaign graphic

Find out more about flu

For information about flu, who is eligible for the NHS flu vaccine and how to get vaccinated, visit the NHS website.

Flu - NHS
Flu vaccine - NHS

'Why I Got Mine': our staff in their own words

Michael Costa, receptionist

Flu campaign graphic"Working on the front line means I meet patients, visitors and members of the public every day. Anyone we come into contact with could be vulnerable to flu, so getting vaccinated is an important way to protect both myself and others. It's a simple step that helps keep our hospital community safe and helps me stay well so I can continue supporting people when they need us most."

 

 Veneita Parsons, midwife

Flu campaign graphic"I choose to have my flu vaccination to help protect our newborn babies and their mothers, who can be particularly vulnerable to infection. The vaccine is quick, easy and gives me peace of mind. Our ward is like a family, and we look after one another. By getting vaccinated, we're helping to keep our team healthy and ensuring we're here to provide the very best care throughout the winter."

 

Joy Gogwe, ward manager

Flu campaign graphic"I have my flu vaccination to protect my patients, colleagues and family because prevention really is better than cure. As a manager, I see the impact that illness can have on teams and patient care when staff are unwell. By getting vaccinated and encouraging others to do the same, we can help keep ourselves healthy, maintain safe staffing levels and continue providing the best possible care for our patients."

 

Veejay Patel, Head of Security

Flu campaign graphic"I get my flu vaccination to help protect my family, friends, colleagues and the people we care for. As someone who works across the hospital, I know how important it is to help keep those around me safe and well. I also want to set a positive example for my colleagues in the security team. Keeping ourselves protected means we're able to continue supporting patients, visitors and staff throughout the winter months. Every vaccination makes a difference."

 

Debs Peat, ward manager

Flu campaign graphic"I have the flu jab mainly for three reasons: my patients, my family and me. I had breast cancer in 2023, so I have to make sure I look after myself. And, in turn, that helps me look after my patients, which then helps me look after my dad, who's 91-and-a-half and very frail, and the rest of my family."

 

 

Nasimul Hasan, radiographer

Flu campaign graphic"One of our Trust values is responsibility, and for me that starts with looking after my own health. By having my flu vaccination, I'm taking responsibility for protecting myself, my colleagues and my patients. It's a small action that reflects our commitment to providing safe, compassionate care and doing everything we can to protect those who rely on us."