Winter vaccines in frontline health and social care workers
We are delivering preventative health and sharing the steps colleagues can take to stay well this autumn and winter.
To maintain a high level of protection through the coming winter, frontline healthcare workers will be offered the flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and those in their care who are most at risk.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccination webinar
Are you looking for reliable information on COVID-19 and the flu vaccines? Want to make informed decisions about your health this winter and the wellbeing of your community?
Watch the recording of our webinar to gain expert insights from Dr Muhammad Naqvi (aka Wax), NEL Clinical Lead for Vaccinations, Immunisations and screening.
Why should healthcare workers receive the flu and seasonal COVID-19 vaccines?
For some, flu and COVID-19 are unpleasant illnesses. But for many, particularly those with certain health conditions, they can be very dangerous and even life threatening. Every winter, thousands die from flu and people can still get very ill or die from COVID-19. Catching both viruses increases the risk of serious illness even further.
As a healthcare worker, you’re more likely to be exposed to the viruses. You will also be caring for people who may be at greater risk from these viruses. Being healthy doesn’t reduce your risk of getting these viruses or passing them on. You can have flu and COVID-19 without any symptoms and pass it on to family, friends, colleagues and patients, many of whom may be at increased risk of serious illness if they get these viruses. Vaccines are our best protection against flu and COVID-19. Over the last few years they have kept tens of thousands of people out of hospital and helped to save countless lives.
Getting your vaccines is straight forward and while some people may experience some mild short lived side effects, they will keep you protected and if you do run into these viruses, your symptoms are likely to be milder and you may recover faster, cutting your risk of being hospitalised. Getting both vaccines ahead of winter, when the viruses spread more easily, are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe, so you can continue to be there for the people you care for.
How do I get my flu vaccine as a frontline health and social care worker?
The flu vaccine should be provided to frontline health and social care workers by their employer as part of the organisation’s policy to prevent the transmission of infection.
Employers may offer the flu vaccine to staff at their place of work or from another local service. Your employer will provide more information on how to get your flu vaccine.
Social care workers who are in direct contact with people who receive care should also have the flu vaccine provided by their employer. If your employer is not able to offer the flu vaccine, you can get this through a complementary NHS scheme. This scheme applies to specific frontline workers in a social care setting including registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that receive direct payments or personal health budgets.
Through the complementary NHS scheme, you can book your vaccine through your GP practice, local pharmacy or the flu national booking system which will appear online here. You do not need to present your ID but if you ask your employer to provide you with a letter identifying you as a social care professional it may make things easier on the day. You may be offered your COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, or separately. If you are offered either vaccine, get them as soon as possible.
How do I get my COVID-19 vaccine as a frontline health and social care worker?
The COVID-19 vaccine may be offered through your employer or you can book the COVID19 vaccine by downloading the NHS App, by visiting www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by calling 119.
Many pharmacies will offer a walk-in service with no need to book and you can find one here www.nhs.uk/covid-walk-in
All eligible frontline staff will continue to be able to self-declare online, on the NHS App or through 119.
You may be offered your flu vaccine at the same time, or separately. If you are offered either vaccine, get them as soon as possible.
FAQ’s
Why do I need a flu and seasonal COVID-19 vaccine again, when I had this last winter?
It is important to top up your protection, even if you have had a vaccine or been ill with flu or
COVID-19 before, as immunity fades over time and flu and COVID-19 viruses change each
year. The vaccines give you additional protection to that gained from previous infections and
gives you good protection from being seriously ill or needing to go to hospital if you catch flu
or COVID-19.
When should I get my vaccines as a health and social care worker?
The seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines are available from September. We encourage you to get both vaccines in the same visit where possible, for protection against both viruses in
just a few minutes. If this is not possible, it is better to get each vaccine as soon as you can, rather than waiting.
Is the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster mandatory for frontline health and social care staff?
No, having the flu and COVID-19 vaccines is not compulsory for health and care staff, but is
an important protection for them and those they come into contact with. Local employers will
be working hard to ensure all staff can get the flu and COVID-19 vaccines this autumn and
winter, and we are confident that most of our staff will choose to protect themselves and
those around them by getting the vaccine.
Am I eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine?
A free Covid-19 seasonal vaccine is available for:
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Residents and staff in a care home for older adults
- All adults aged 65 years and over
- Women or people who are pregnant
- Persons aged 16 to 64 years who are carers
- Persons aged 12 to 64 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
- Those aged 6 months to 64 years in at-risk groups, including people with the following health conditions:
- Respiratory (lung) diseases, including asthma
- Diabetes
- Heart disease, kidney disease or liver disease
- Neurological (brain or nerve) conditions
- A learning disability
- A severe mental illness
- A weakened immune system (immunosuppression)
- A missing spleen or sickle cell disease
- Being very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above.
Am I eligible for the flu vaccine?
A free flu vaccine is available for:
- Frontline health and social care workers
- Carers in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- Children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023 (see nasal flu vaccine)
- School aged children (from Reception to Year 11).
- All adults aged 65 years and over
- Women or people who are pregnant (see flu vaccine in pregnancy)
- Those in long-stay residential care homes
- Household contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- Those aged 6 months to 64 years in at-risk groups, including people with the following health conditions:
- Respiratory (lung) diseases, including asthma
- Diabetes (see short film of a woman with Type 1 diabetes talking about why she gets the flu vaccine)
- Heart disease, kidney disease or liver disease
- Neurological (brain or nerve) conditions
- A learning disability
- A weakened immune system (immunosuppression)
- A missing spleen or sickle cell diseaseBeing very overweight – a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above.
If I have just had COVID-19, how long should I wait until I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. There is no need to wait 4 weeks after having had COVID-19, provided you are well. You should not attend a vaccine appointment if you think you could be infectious to others.
If I have just had the flu how long should I wait until I get the flu vaccine?
If you’re ill with a high temperature, it’s best to wait until you’re better before having the flu vaccine.
If I have any allergy concerns about receiving the flu jab or the COVID-19 vaccine, who can I speak to?
You may be at risk of an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine injection if you have an egg allergy. This is because some flu vaccines are made using eggs.
Ask a GP or pharmacist for a low-egg or egg-free vaccine.
If you have any concerns about the ingredients in the COVID-19 vaccines and potential allergies, please speak to your GP or pharmacist.
I have a needle phobia, what support is available?
Needle phobia also called belonephobia, aichmophobia, or trypanophobia is very common, affecting at least one in 10 people.
It may be stopping you from having an important vaccination or a blood test. It is nothing to be ashamed of and simple exercises with practice can help to overcome it quickly.
There are things you can do to help overcome your fear of needles.
- Tell the person who is coordinating your care, giving you an injection or doing a blood test about your worries. They can answer any specific questions you have and help you to cope with the procedure. For example, they could chat with you during the procedure to distract you.
- Try not to worry about other people’s reaction. Staff looking after you will not be annoyed or think that you are weak or cowardly when you tell them about your fear of needles. It is useful for them to know about this because they can make things easier for you.
- Think about if anything has helped you to cope with needles in the past. Can something like this help you again?
- If your fear is linked to fainting or feeling faint, you can learn an applied tension technique.
- If you feel panicky (for example, your heart races, your chest feels tight and your stomach churns) but you do not feel faint, you can learn a breathing for relaxation exercise. These exercises are safe in pregnancy and with most medical conditions.
Resources
A4 Poster
A5 flyer
FAQ Leaflet
A5 Webinar Flyer
