NHS Lanarkshire staff are being urged to get ready to fight flu by getting their free vaccination.

Health experts are warning that there is the potential for this year’s flu season to be serious, so the call has been issued in a bid to ensure all healthcare workers and their families, colleagues and patients are protected from flu this winter.

Staff in hospitals, GP practices, pharmacies, dental surgeries and other NHS Lanarkshire sites are encouraged to get the vaccine annually as it provides the best defence against flu.

All staff are eligible for the jab and it’s particularly important for patient-facing colleagues to get vaccinated, as they could pass the flu virus on to their patients and family even if they have very mild symptoms.

Dr David Cromie, NHS Lanarkshire consultant in public health medicine, said: “It’s really important to get the flu vaccine.

“We all work in healthcare and the vaccine gives us the chance to prevent the bug being passed on to the vulnerable patients we care for. It also means we can avoid being off work sick at a busy time of year.

“I have personal experience of how unpleasant flu can be. When I got it I was wiped out and confined to bed for a week.

“It’s an experience I wouldn’t want to go through again if I can possibly avoid it so I always make sure I get my free flu jab at one of the flu clinics at work. That way I’m protecting myself, my colleagues and my family.

“I do everything possible to avoid getting the flu and passing it on and I hope you’ll do the same this year.”

CLICK HERE for details of flu clinics.