A LEADING doctor has admitted he almost died from swine flu and infected a pregnant colleague after refusing a vaccination.

Peter Hockey, deputy medical director at South Central Strategic Health Authority, also exposed his patients to the potentially fatal virus.

Dr Hockey, a consultant chest physician at Lymington, was left fighting for his life after falling ill a few days before last Christmas.

Ten months later he has yet to make a full recovery, often falling victim to breathlessness and bouts of severe fatigue.

Now he has marked the start of the flu season by urging all those eligible to make sure they are vaccinated against the disease.

Jabs are available to pensioners and everyone in the “at risk” category but thousands of people left themselves defenceless against the virus last year, despite qualifying for the free injection.

Dr Hockey said: “As a doctor and someone with asthma I was offered the vaccine more than once but didn’t bother.

“I thought it was something for patients, not clinicians.”

Dr Hockey, 46, who works at the Lymington New Forest Hospital, ended up as a patient himself after he started feeling feverish.

He said: “I spent three weeks in hospital, feeling very scared as I watched news reports about young people dying of swine flu. I then spent five months at home, struggling to get out of bed let alone thinking about going back to work.

“I’ve lost almost a year of my life to flu. I infected a pregnant colleague and put her unborn baby’s life at risk.

“What makes me so cross is the fact that my illness was completely preventable.

“I never want to repeat the year I’ve been though and wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Needless to say I was first in line for a flu jab this year.”

A healthy authority spokeswoman said none of Dr Hockey’s patients caught swine flu. She added that his pregnant colleague made a full recovery and gave birth to a healthy baby.

“She’s a consultant respiratory physician and was treating Peter in Lymington hospital before his swine flu diagnosis was confirmed,” said the spokeswoman.

Professor John Newton, the authority’s regional director of public health, said the flu jab was not compulsory for NHS staff.

Factfile

Free flu jabs protect against both seasonal flu and swine flu.

People should make an appointment to see their GP if they are pregnant, a carer or over the age of 65.

They are also available to people who have: • Chest complaints, including bronchitis, asthma and emphysema.

• Heart problems.

• Lowered immunity due to disease or cancer treatment.

• Liver or kidney disease.

• History of stroke or a transient ischaemic attack.

• Diabetes