Stockport has come out tops in the Flu Vaccination chart as the town’s GPs, nurses and midwives are the best in Greater Manchester (GM) for immunising people against flu – and that’s official.
Stockport’s GPs, nurses and midwives are the best in Greater Manchester (GM) for immunising people against flu – and that’s official.
NHS England figures show that in every category, bar immunising 4 year olds and school years 2 and 3, health service staff in Stockport vaccinated more people than anywhere else in the region, making the borough the safest place to be when it comes to flu.
An amazing 65.2% of the borough’s expectant mums got their free flu jab, ranking first in GM and first in the country.
In the 65 and over group, 78.1% were vaccinated in Stockport, ranking first in GM and 2nd in the country.
And in the group of people aged 6 months to 65 years old who have a health condition that puts them at risk, over 61% were immunised here, being again first in GM and first in the country.
When it comes to vaccinating groups of children aged 2, 3 and 4, Stockport is still top of the class in two out of the three categories and a very close second place for immunising 4 year olds within GM.
For carers (61%) and healthcare workers (79.4%) the figures for immunisation are equally impressive.
Councillor Tom McGee, Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Health, said:
“I’d like to first thank our residents who have taken the opportunity to get their flu jab and get protected against a deadly illness. A massive thank you as well to all of our GPs, nurses, midwives and healthcare professionals who made this possible by immunising an impressive amount of people in Stockport. Well done to everyone!”
Dr Ranjit Gill, Stockport’s lead GP, said:
“Once again Stockport has come out at the top of the flu immunisation league. This is an excellent achievement in our fight against a preventable illness that can have devastating consequences.
“I would like to personally thank the patients in Stockport for coming forward and having this potentially life-saving jab.
“This is also an excellent example of how working across health, social care and the voluntary sector can achieve ground breaking results. So much illness will have been prevented as a result of this work.”
Julie Estcourt, Head of Midwifery at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“This is good news for the pregnant mums of Stockport. Flu is a threat for both a pregnant mother and her baby, and getting the vaccination is the best way to protect them. The vaccine doesn’t carry risks for either mum or baby. Women who have had the flu vaccine while pregnant also pass some protection on to their babies, which lasts for the first few months of their lives.”
Flu is still circulating around the region so if you’ve not had your jab yet there’s still time. Contact your GP surgery or, if you’re pregnant, speak to your midwife.
Image caption: Councillor Tom McGee, Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Health, and Sarah Turner, Stockport Council’s Senior Health Protection Nurse.