The NHS is offering free flu shots to about 33 million people in the UK this autumn and carers are among the targetted group.
What is Flu?
Flu occurs every year usually during the winter months and is highly infectious, even among those with no symptoms. Symptoms come on quickly including fever, chills, headaches, aches and pains in joints and muscles, and extreme tiredness. Healthy individuals usually recover in 2-7 days however flu can lead to complications like bronchitis and pneumonia it can also make existing conditions worse. Flu results in days in bed, missed work, increases in GP consultations, increases in hospital admissions and increases in intensive care admissions. So it is important that we protect ourselves and our loved ones.
Why is it particularly important to get the flu vaccine 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. That’s why it’s important that eligible people come forward for their flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster. If you catch flu and COVID-19 at the same time, research shows you’re more likely to be seriously ill.
Who is eligible for a free vaccine?
- All children aged 2-13yrs (Y9)
- Those aged six months to under 50yrs in clinical risk groups
- Pregnant women
- Carers- If you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person, who may be put at risk if you became ill, you are eligible for a free flu jab, according to government policy. You are also eligible if you're receiving Carer's Allowance.
- Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- Those aged 50yrs and over
- Those in long-stay residential care homes
- Frontline health and social care staff employed by registered care homes, domiciliary care, voluntary managed hospices or direct payment/personal health budget
Calling all unpaid carers aged 16-49!
If you care for someone at home and are aged 16- 49 years don't forget to book your COVID and Flu vaccinations:
What are clinical risk groups?
Those with:
- A heart problem, had a stroke or TIA
- A chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis emphysema or severe asthma
- A kidney disease
- Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (steroids / cancer)
- Liver disease
- Diabetes
- A neurological condition (MS, Parkinson’s, MND, Cerebral Palsy)
- A learning disability
- A spleen problem or spleen removed
- Have a BMI 40 or above.
Can the flu vaccine cause flu?
There are several types of injected flu vaccine. None of them contain live viruses so they cannot give you flu.
How do I get my flu vaccine?
If the criteria above applies to you, you have the right to request a flu vaccine from your GP surgery or local pharmacist.
Carers vaccine uptake in the South Tees
Over the last few years, there has been a rise in the number of carers having their flu vaccination. The uptake rates are still low with only just above 50% of known South Tees carers having their vaccination last year.
Vaccine Year- Uptake %
2019/2020- 35.9%
2020/2021- 44.7%
2021/2022- 51.8%
Covid-19 Autumn Booster and Flu Vaccine
You may be able to get your Covid-19 Autumn Booster vaccine at the same time as your flu vaccine, check with your GP surgery at the time of booking your flu vaccination. However, this may not be feasible. The autumn booster should be offered at least 3 months after the previous Covid-19 vaccination.
Download the South Tees Public Health Flu Vaccination Poster:
