Christopher Goard said his flu vaccine was a “pretty painless experience” as the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust started its flu immunisation programme yesterday.

The annual programme is one of the biggest staff immunisation programmes within the whole of the NHS.

Mr Goard, who is a non-executive director at the trust, said: “We want to get every member of staff on the programme as it is very important. It’s a pretty painless experience.”

Patricia Poole, occupational health manager for the trust, who is also responsible for organising the programme, is pictured giving Mr Goard his jab.

She said: “Flu is an unpredictable threat that can cause severe illness and death in patients or staff, resulting in disruption of services and family life.

“Vaccination is not just about keeping ourselves safe – it’s about protecting patients, colleagues, and families.”

The programme will run over the next six weeks but vaccinations will be available until early 2014.

The vaccine is free on the NHS to adults over the age of 18 at risk of flu (including everyone over 65), pregnant woman and at-risk children aged six months to two years.

For more information, see nhs.uk/Conditions/ vaccinations/Pages/flu-influenza-vaccine.asp or call your GP.