Flu vaccination

Winter flu virus season is here and we’re encouraging and supporting all colleagues to get vaccinated.

Photo by RF studio from Pexels

Flu vaccination appeal. September 2020

Eligibility for the NHS flu vaccination programme has been extended this year to provide free vaccinations for more people (over-50s). This is to help reduce the spread of this winter’s flu virus and its impact on the conditions for a second wave of covid-19.

If you are eligible for a free vaccination through the NHS, you will be contacted by your GP surgery or other NHS centre, and we encourage you to book a vaccination appointment as soon as possible. You can take paid time off work for this, although please try to arrange an appointment at the beginning or end of your working day.

The NHS aims to ensure that the highest risk patients are able to get vaccinated first. Subject to vaccine dose supply and following prioritisation of those initially eligible, the NHS aims to extend eligibility to people aged between 50 and 64. If you are in this age bracket (or due to turn 50 shortly) and have not yet received an eligibility letter, it’s possible you’ll become eligible soon. Please contact your GP surgery for advice.

Colleagues who are not eligible for free NHS flu jabs

If you are not eligible for a free NHS flu vaccination, or have not yet received an NHS free vaccination eligibility letter, you can still protect yourself by booking a private flu jab.

These are available to book through pharmacies (such as Superdrug, Boots and Lloyds pharmacy) and some supermarkets, however due to high demand for the flu vaccine, there may be some delays getting an appointment.

If you choose to pay for a vaccination, please keep your receipt and you can claim the cost up to £14 through e-expenses. You can also take paid time off work for this, although please try to get an appointment at the beginning or end of your working day.

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