Brain surgeon support swine flu vaccination (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Brain surgeon urges vulnerable patients to have swine flu jab

6:20pm Monday 12th November 2012 in News By World reporter

AFTER his daughter fell dangerously ill with swine flu, brain surgeon Paul May is urging vulnerable people to book a live-saving vaccine.

Mr May, clinical director of neurosurgery at the Walton Centre in Liverpool, saw his 21-year-old daughter Emily spent five days in intensive care after contracting the illness during the pandemic of 2009, inspiring him to join the vaccination campaign.

He said: “I have become a flu vaccinator to encourage colleagues throughout our Trust to come forward to be vaccinated to avoid the heart-wrenching ordeal suffered by my daughter and all her family.”

Emily has since made a full recovery and now works for Unilever in London.

Eileen O’Meara, director of public health for Halton, added: “The vaccine is safe and free and available from your GP for everyone aged 65 and over, pregnant women and people, including children aged over six months, with long-term health conditions.