Why am I being offered this vaccination?
It’s important that you receive the flu vaccination this year to help protect yourself and those around you. Flu is an unpredictable virus that can kill thousands of people during a flu season. There have been very low levels of flu circulating in the last two years due to measures that were in place to reduce COVID-19 infections, such as social distancing and mask-wearing. There is likely to be a resurgence of flu this winter similar to or higher than the levels before the pandemic because people will be mixing more.
The seasonal flu virus in circulation alongside COVID-19 would add to the winter pressures usually faced by our staff with more patients expected to be admitted to hospital with flu.
Getting the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster is more important than ever this autumn to help reduce hospitalisations.
Your health, safety and wellbeing is our priority. Getting vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 will provide protection for you and those around you from both these potentially serious illnesses – this is why I encourage you to get your flu jab and COVID-19 booster as soon as possible.
Why is it so important that I receive both vaccines this year?
Flu and COVID-19 can both be life-threatening and spread more easily in winter when we are more likely to be indoors or in crowded spaces.
As a health or social care worker, you will be caring for people who may be at greater risk from these viruses. It’s easy to pass on COVID-19 or flu without knowing. Even if you’re healthy, you can still catch COVID-19 or flu and spread it to the people you care for causing severe illness which can lead to hospitalisation or even death. Getting vaccinated is the best way we have to protect yourself and those around you.
It is vital that we help maintain protection against severe illness from COVID-19 and flu this winter to avoid additional pressure on the NHS and social care systems during the busy winter period.
I had the flu vaccination last year. Do I need to have it again?
Yes, because the viruses that cause flu can change every year. This means the flu (and the vaccine) this year may be different from last year. If you had the flu vaccine last year, either because you were and health and social care worker, pregnant or because you’re in a vulnerable group, you need to have it again this year.
Do I still need to get my flu jab if I’ve had all of my COVID-19 vaccines?
Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine does not protect you from flu, and vice versa. As you are
eligible for both vaccines you should have them both.
I’ve recently had COVID-19, can I still have my flu vaccine?
If you’ve had COVID-19, it’s still safe to have the flu vaccine, however you may wish
to reschedule your appointment if you are currently experiencing a high temperature
or acute illness on the day of the appointment. It will still be effective at helping to
prevent flu.
For advice and information about the flu vaccination, visit www.nhs.uk/flujab
Where do I get vaccinated?
All staff are encouraged to have their jabs via their flu champion in the first instance. Flu champions will be out and about in wards, departments and community hospitals and will make themselves known to you.
From Monday 3 October to Friday 21 October, staff can also have their flu jab at drop-in clinics across the trust. You do not need to book an appointment.
- Children department hub meeting room, 12noon to 6pm, Tuesday 4 October, Wednesday 5 October and Thursday 6 October
- Children department hub meeting room, 9am to 5pm, Tuesday 11 October, Wednesday 12 October and Thursday 13 October
- James Cook – Main atrium, from 9am, Monday 3 October to Friday 21 October
How do I get a vaccine appointment?
There is no need to book an appointment to receive your vaccination, but you must complete the vaccine form and provide your payroll number and your NHS number.
Will I need to bring anything with me when I come to the drop-in clinic?
Yes. Before coming along to the drop-in clinic…
- Download and print the vaccine form
- On the paper copy of the form:
- Add your NHS number – if you don’t know it, you can find it online.
- Add your payroll number – your payroll number can be found by logging in to ESR and is on your payslip as ‘assignment number’. If you are not paid by the trust (e.g Junior Doctors), you can leave the payroll number blank but you must add your NHS number.
- Add your telephone number
- Add GP details
- Add ethnicity
- Complete the pre-vaccination self-assessment section, circling yes and no
- Take the paper copy of the form with you – this will make the process much quicker for you
- You will also need to know the date you had your last COVID-19 dose (even if you’re just getting your flu vaccine)
- Remember to bring your Staff ID badge
How effective is the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine is your best protection against the virus. It will not stop all flu viruses
but if you do get flu after vaccination, it’s likely that if you do still catch the flu the
disease will be milder and shorter-lived than it would otherwise have been. It takes
the immune response about two weeks to fully develop after vaccination.
Will the flu jab give me flu?
No. The injected vaccine used for adults does not contain any live viruses, so it cannot cause flu. Some people get a slightly raised temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days afterwards, and you may feel sore at the injection site.
Will the vaccine have side effects?
Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. Most of these are mild and short term, lasting no longer than a week, and not everyone gets them.
Flu vaccines have a good safety record. All adult flu vaccines are given by injection
into the muscle of the upper arm.
Most side effects are mild and only last for a day or so, such as:
- slightly raised temperature
- muscle aches
- sore arm where the needle went in – this is more likely to happen with the vaccine for people aged 65 and over
Try these tips to help reduce the discomfort:
- continue to move your arm regularly
- take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – some people, including those who are pregnant, should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it.
Will the side effects be worse if I have both vaccines at the same time?
People who receive both vaccines at the same time may be slightly more likely to experience at least one side effect when both vaccines are given together, although these are typically mild, short-lived reactions. The vaccines are extremely safe and there is no evidence that giving both together is more likely to cause serious side effects.
Can I go back to work after having my vaccine?
Yes, you should be able to work as long as you feel well. If your arm is particularly sore, you may find heavy lifting difficult. If you feel unwell or very tired you should rest and avoid operating machinery or driving.
What do I do if I have had my vaccine(s) outside of the trust for example from my GP or the national booking service?
Please let us know by emailing [email protected]
Can I have my flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster in the same appointment?
The flu vaccine and the COVID-19 booster can be given on the same day and there are opportunities to have both vaccinations at the same appointment.
Is the NHS confident the vaccines are safe?
Yes – the MHRA, the official UK regulator authorising licensed use of medicines and vaccines by healthcare professionals, has said these vaccines are safe and highly effective, and we have full confidence in their expert judgement and processes.
Can I have the flu vaccine if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
JCVI advice recommends that you should have a flu vaccine if you are eligible. You should have the flu vaccine if you’re pregnant to help protect you and your baby. It’s safe to have the flu vaccine at any stage of pregnancy from the first few weeks up to your expected due date. Women who have had the flu vaccine while pregnant also pass some protection on to their babies, which lasts for the first few months of their lives. It’s safe for women who are breastfeeding to have the vaccine.
Is there anyone that shouldn’t get the flu vaccine?
There will be a small number of people where it is advised that you should not have a flu vaccine, for example if you have ever had a serious allergy to the vaccine, or any of its ingredients. If you are allergic to eggs or have a condition that weakens your immune system, you may not be able to have certain types of flu vaccine – check with your vaccinator. If you have a fever, the vaccination may be delayed until you are better.
Is the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster mandatory for staff?
No, having the COVID-19 or flu vaccine is not compulsory for health and social care staff, but helps to provide important protection for these individuals and those they
come into contact with. Local employers will be working hard to ensure all staff can
get the COVID and flu vaccines this autumn/winter, and we are confident that most
of our staff will choose to protect themselves and those around them by getting the
vaccines.