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Supporting health and social care providers in Devon

COVID-19 vaccination


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COVID-19 vaccination

Covid-19 vaccine update

The 2024 Autumn/Winter Campaign ended on the 31st of January 2024, we are awaiting confirmation of the 2024 Spring Campaign.

Inter season those with a newly weakened immune system may need additional protection, this may be because of a health condition or medical treatment.

Your specialist or GP will assess if you need a Covid-19 vaccine. They should let you know when to get vaccinated and help you find a local appointment. Speak to your specialist or GP for further advice

If you have any additional queries in relation to vaccinations, you can contact the Devon Vaccination Support Team – d-icb.devonvaccinationsupport@nhs.net or telephone 01752 398836

Autumn/Winter Campaign 2023/24

here – Guidance

Flu

The below groups will be eligible for a Flu vaccine from the 1st of September 2023 up to the 31st March 2024.

Cohort Eligibility – Flu – cohort eligibility

  • those aged 65 years and over.
  • those aged 6 months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, chapter 19 (Influenza))
  • pregnant women
  • all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2023
  • primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
  • those in long-stay residential care homes 
  • carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person.
  • close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
  • frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants

All frontline health care workers, including both clinical and non-clinical staff who have contact with patients, should be offered a flu vaccine as part of the organisations’ policy for the prevention of the transmission of flu to help protect both staff and those that they care for. Social care workers directly working with people clinically vulnerable to flu should also have the flu vaccine provided by their employer.

There are circumstances where frontline staff, employed by specific social care providers without access to employer led occupational health schemes, can access the vaccine through the NHS free of charge. See Health & Social Care Staff section for further details.

How to book a Flu vaccine

If you’re eligible for an NHS Flu vaccine, you can get your vaccine from:

All those who turn 65 years by 31 March 2024 are eligible for both vaccinations.

The age cohorts for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations have been aligned and facilitate co-administration where possible.

Health & Social Care Staff

As a frontline health or social care professional, you’re more likely to be exposed to the Flu, and of course, they can also be passed on to the people you care for, including care home residents, those with weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions.

Getting your Flu vaccine ahead of winter, when the viruses spread more easily, are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe, so you can continue to be there for the people you care for.  

Health and social care workers will be invited for their vaccine through their employer. This is expected to start during September. We urge staff to come forward to get protection against the Flu as soon as possible once invited.

Health and social care workers with vouchers

If you have been given a voucher for a flu vaccine by your employer, you’ll be able to use this at a pharmacy that offers this service. Check with the pharmacy if they’ll accept the voucher.

If you’re a social care worker who is eligible to have a flu vaccine on the NHS, you do not need to present your ID at a pharmacy. However, if your employer can provide you with a letter identifying you as a social care worker it may make things easier on the day.

You can find out more information about both vaccines by visiting www.nhs.uk/flujab and www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccine.

Important

It is important to go to your vaccination appointments unless, you have a high temperature or feel too unwell to go to work or do your normal activities.

Protect yourself this winter. Get your flu vaccination as soon as you are offered them. Get winter strong.

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Find out more about the COVID-19 vaccination on the FAQ’s.


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