Issue - meetings

To consider the actions taken in the 201718 influenza season, and proposals for 2018/19.

The Board considered the Annual Influenza Report 2017/18.

The report set out the actions taken during the influenza season, the impact on health and wellbeing strategy priorities, actions taken by Cheshire East Council to increase flu vaccine uptake by staff and across the wider health economy, and made recommendations for the 2018/19 influenza season.

RESOLVED:  That

1        a Bid for funding from NHS England be made for influenza communications ahead of the 2018/19 influenza season so that the scope and range of television adverts, radio adverts and social media communications can be increased;

2        the vaccination programmes be repeated and extended, with influenza vaccination clinics and voucher schemes, and support for managers to encourage front line staff within their teams to access flu vaccinations ,either through clinics or the voucher scheme.  Funding would be required to ensure that the vaccines were provided at no cost to eligible staff; and

3        undertake broader health and hygiene work throughout the organisation linking in with work plans around winter wellness to emphasise measures such as hand hygiene, but also evaluate the investment in measures to improve hygiene and reduce the spread of minor illnesses.