Flu jabs

Flu is a serious illness that can cause severe complications and death. Vaccination helps prevent individuals from getting flu or from spreading it to people who receive care and support.

The flu vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine. The flu vaccination protects you, your family and the people you care for. 

It is offered every year on the NHS to help protect people at risk of flu and its complications. It is important to get the flu vaccine if you are advised to.

The best time to have the flu vaccine is in the autumn before flu starts spreading. The vaccine is available from September onwards each year. 

Where can I get my free flu vaccination?

You can have the NHS flu vaccine at: 

  • your GP surgery
  • a pharmacy offering the service
  • your midwifery service if you’re pregnant.

Am I eligible for a free flu vaccination?

The flu vaccine is given to people who:

  • are 50 years old and over
  • have certain health conditions
  • are pregnant
  • are children of school age
  • are in a long-stay residential care
  • receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
  • live with someone who is at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)
  • are frontline health or social care workers. All health and social care workers, as key workers, are encouraged to secure their vaccination against flu if they are directly involved in caring for people who receive care and support. This includes all personal assistants.

Flu jabs and direct payment holders

Direct payment holders can protect themselves from the flu by making PAs they employ aware of the vaccination. They should ensure their PA receives a letter of employment to prove their identity, to make it easier to access the vaccination for free.

Direct payment holders - the individual who receives care and support - and third-party employers should ensure that the PAs they employ are aware of the free flu vaccination and have the opportunity to access it.

Direct payment holders do not have to pay for flu vaccinations for PAs they employ, as the funding allocated to them is to pay for their own health or social care package.

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