Flu Fighters
Flu Vaccinations are more important than ever this year
This coming autumn and winter, with COVID-19 still circulating, we need to help reduce all avoidable risks. The more colleagues that get vaccinated, the more we help to reduce flu transmission and stop people becoming ill.
As heath care professionals, our duty of care is to protect our most vulnerable patients as well as ourselves, our families and colleagues. The flu vaccine is one of the most effective tools we have to help reduce infection, save lives and reduce extra pressure on our health services when they are likely to face unprecedented demand.
How can I get my vaccine?
Learning from last year’s colleague flu vaccination programme and the success of the colleague covid vaccination programme we’re taking a slightly different approach this year. Flu clinics will be held at dedicated sites offering more than 1800 appointments over a 4-week period week starting from the 13 September and you will need to book an appointment online (you’ll be getting an email from Inhealthcare in the next couple of weeks to book your spot).
Our main clinics will be at Victoria Dock Pharmacy and Beverley Health Centre but there will also be a further two sessions each at Goole, Hornsea, Withernsea and Bridlington and in the North-West.
If you are unable to have vaccine due to allergies or are having their vaccine elsewhere we still need you to follow the link in the email so you can claim your annual leave entitlement.
Flu FAQs
Why should health care workers be vaccinated against flu?
- Having the flu vaccine protects you, your family and patients from flu. On average over 11,000 people die each year from flu. Some years it’s much more and many more are hospitalised each year.
- Vaccination means less staff sickness from flu, helping the NHS to keep running effectively during a flu outbreak, when GPs and hospital services are particularly busy.
- You can give flu to your family and those you care for even if you don’t have any symptoms. Staff who aren’t vaccinated may pass on flu to vulnerable patients and
- colleagues.
- Patients feel safer and are more likely to get vaccinated when they know the people who care for them are vaccinated.
- The flu vaccine will help prevent you getting the flu and 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 to be milder and shorter-lived than it would otherwise have been.
How long does the flu vaccine take to become effective?
It takes between 10 and 14 days for your immune system to respond fully after you’ve had the flu jab.
Can the flu vaccine cause flu?
No. The vaccine does not contain any live viruses, so it cannot cause flu. You may get a slight temperature, and your arm may feel a bit sore where you had the injection. Other reactions are rare.
