Public Health England (PHE) is urging all health and social care staff to receive their free flu vaccination to protect the most vulnerable people across the South West.
Frontline staff are at higher risk of catching and passing on flu due to their contact with patients and those they care for.
To help increase uptake in the social care sector, for the first-time, as well as social care staff being able to get a vaccine at a pharmacy or via a GP, pharmacists will be able to vaccinate both residents and care home staff at the same time.
This approach means all frontline social care workers will be able to get a flu vaccine to protect themselves and the people they care for.
This is important as staff who get flu require time off work, putting pressure on services at what can be the busiest time of the year.
In some cases, infections only result in mild or unnoticeable symptoms, meaning staff then unknowingly pass the virus to vulnerable people that they come into contact with.
Flu is very different to a normal cold and can confine the fittest of people to bed.
For older people or those with long-term health conditions, the effects of flu can be much more serious, and in some cases even fatal.
Dr Julie Yates, Lead Consultant for Screening and Immunisation at Public Health England and NHSEI South West said: “Flu can be extremely serious and can lead to hospitalisation, permanent disability or even death. There is evidence that getting flu and COVID-19 at the same time can also increase the risk of becoming very seriously ill or dying.
“That’s why it’s more important than ever this year that staff and care home residents get vaccinated, to help reduce transmission of flu and protect against the double threat of flu and COVID-19.”
Director of Primary Care and Public Health Commissioning in the South West, Ian Biggs said: “This is anything but a usual year and we all want to protect ourselves, staff and those close to us from the flu. Every year it hospitalises and kills thousands.
“We are fortunate to have access to the best protection available, the flu jab. It’s essential that all health and social care workers in South West get their flu jab so they’re fighting fit to care for others ahead of what will no doubt be a busy winter.
“As well as making every effort to stop the spread of coronavirus in our hospitals and communities, we must do the same for flu.”
