HOSPITAL staff are leading the fight against flu after being warned that this could be one of the worst years for deaths from the virus.

Their #WhatsYourReason campaign urges staff to think about the reasons they should have their flu jab.

Nurses, doctors, midwives and consultants explain in a new video why they have their jab every year.

Flu is particularly dangerous for patients with long-term health conditions, those with an acute illness, pregnant women, young children and the over 65s.

Sue Redfern, director of nursing at Whiston Hospital, said: “In Halton there are over 22,000 people over the age of 65 years.

“There are over 7,000 children in the borough under the age of five. These are people that due to their age and the greater risks of them becoming ill, our staff come into contact with on a daily basis.

“We must do everything we can to protect them and ourselves. In these critical winter months, it is vital that the hospitals are prepared and our staff are able to look after the patients who need us most.”

The hospitals performed exceptionally well last year with over 80 per cent of staff having their flu jab.

However it is vital that staff are vaccinated each year as the vaccine lasts approximately six months and the strains of flu can vary between seasons.

Sue Redfern added: “Our staff are extremely proactive in getting their flu jab each year but we never rest on our laurels and want as many as possible to protect themselves and their patients.”