Free flu vaccinations for social care and hospice staff

NHS England will again provide free flu vaccinations for social care staff who offer direct patient care this flu season. This year, the free jab will also be extended to include health and care staff in the voluntary managed hospice sector who offer direct patient care.

A letter released by NHS England explains that the vaccination will be available at community pharmacies and GP practices.

The following eligibility criteria, set out in the letter, details who can get the vaccine for free.

• Health and social care staff, employed by a registered residential care/nursing home or registered domiciliary care provider, who are directly involved in the care of vulnerable patients/clients who are at increased risk from exposure to influenza. Vulnerable means those patients/clients in a clinical risk group for flu or who are aged 65 years and over.
• Health and care staff, employed by a voluntary managed hospice provider, who are directly involved in the care of vulnerable patients/clients who are at increased risk from exposure to influenza. Vulnerable means those patients/clients in a clinical risk group for flu or who are aged 65 years and over.

The letter urges employers to continue their efforts to protect their staff and most vulnerable patients by encouraging frontline staff to get their flu jab. Eligible employees can access the jab by going to their own GP or any pharmacy.

NHS Employers’ flu fighter care campaign provides support and resources to help social care organisations in running their flu campaigns. Our webpages contain a selection of resources, including updated posters and a payslip leaflet for 2018/19 season, and a flu fighter guide for social care, which contains information to help run a successful local flu fighter campaign.

If you require any support or further information, please contact the flu fighter team at flufighter@nhsemployers.org

This infomation was taken from http://www.nhsemployers.org/news/2018/09/free-flu-vaccinations-for-social-care-and-hospice-staff