Simply The Best

16th March 2017

Stockport’s GPs, nurses and midwives are the best in Greater Manchester 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.

Stockport’s immunisation rates were considerably better than the GM average. For example an amazing 65% of the borough’s expectant mums got their free flu jab, ranking them first in the country.

When it comes to pensioners, 78% were vaccinated in Stockport, making them first in GM and 2nd in the country.

And over 61% of people aged 6 months to 65 years old who have a health condition that puts them at risk, were immunised here, ranking them also 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.

For carers (61%) and healthcare workers (79%) the figures for immunisation are equally impressive.

Dr Ranjit Gill, Stockport’s lead GP, said “Once again Stockport has come out at the top of the 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.