Staff at an NHS Healthcare Trust have been helping some of the poorest communities in the world by getting their flu jab.

Those from the London North West branch, which covers Northwick Park Hospital, have been taking part in the ‘Get a Jab, Give a Jab’ campaign.

It means that for every flu jab given out, ten tetanus vaccines will be purchased to help protect children in Africa against neonatal tetanus.

While it was eliminated from the industrialised world in the 1950s, it remains a major killer of infants in the developing world who have little or no access to basic healthcare services.

Amanda Pye, chief nurse at London North West Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “With over 8,000 people dying in England each year, flu is a nasty and potentially life-threatening virus, especially for the vulnerable people we care for at our hospitals and community services.

“As healthcare professionals we have a responsibility to do all we can to protect ourselves, our families and our patients, and I am really proud of all our staff who have had their flu jab to date.

“They are not only protecting themselves and those close to them in this country; they are also protecting vulnerable young lives across the world.”

In the first two weeks of the Trust’s campaign, more than 18,000 tetanus vaccines have been purchased thanks to staff members receiving their jabs.