POLICE officers have been lining up for flu jabs in a management attempt to bolster staffing in the run-up to Christmas.
The North Yorkshire force has spent a £6,000 Home Office grant on a comprehensive immunisation programme in an attempt to stave off sick-leave during the winter months.
In all, 250 staff took up the offer for a free jab, given by a qualified nurse, at offices in Scarborough, York, the headquarters at Newby Wiske and at Harrogate.
Last year, the force lost the equivalent of £150,000 in working hours during the three winter months because of ill-health caused by heavy colds and flu.
A full evaluation of the impact of the immunisation programme will be carried out in the spring.
Chief Constable Della Cannings said: "North Yorkshire Police employs well over 2,500 people, and it is essential to the efficient working of the force that as many of them as possible are in good health and working well at any one time.
"Infections like flu can spread through offices very quickly, but they are preventable.
"This grant from the Government is very welcome to enable us to help staff to maintain their good health and keep the amount of lost working hours down."
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