OXFORDSHIRE'S hospital boss prepared for the flu season yesterday by getting his annual jab.

Sir Jonathan Michael, chief executive of Oxford University Hospitals, was publicising the trust’s staff flu jab campaign.

The organisation launched its vaccination programme on September 30 and by the end of the first week more than 2,000 staff had lined up for the jab.

Sir Jonathan said: “This is a really good start to our staff flu immunisation programme.

“Last year 6,604 of our staff were vaccinated. This year we are aiming for 8,000. Only comprehensive staff vaccinations can reduce the risk of flu spreading from staff to patients, colleagues and their families for whom flu can be fatal.”

In 2008, less than 10 per cent of staff in Oxford hospitals had the jab – in 2012 it was over 58 per cent.

Sir Jonathan added: “That is a fantastic improvement and I am delighted at the increasing commitment my colleagues are showing to protecting the health of their patients, their colleagues, their families, and themselves. “I hope even more will do so this year.”