This winter’s NHS flu vaccination programme is now open to the people who need it most. From 1 October, older people, carers, care home residents and people with long-term health conditions have been able to get their free flu vaccine, according to the Homecare Association. On 22 September, the Association also highlighted UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) guidance confirming that frontline social care workers, including homecare staff, are eligible too. The government’s guidance for social care workers explains why it matters: in England, an average of 13,500 people die from flu every year, and thousands more need hospital treatment.
Who can get a free flu vaccine?
The NHS website lists the groups who can get the flu vaccine for free. Among them are adults aged 18 to 64 with certain long-term conditions, including:
- some brain or nerve conditions, such as Parkinson’s, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy
- a learning disability
- breathing conditions, heart conditions, chronic kidney disease or diabetes
- a weakened immune system, from a condition or a treatment
People aged 65 or over, people who are pregnant and people who live in a care home are also eligible.
Family carers are included too
If you are the main carer for an older or disabled person, or you receive Carer’s Allowance, the NHS says you can have a free flu vaccine. So can people who live with someone who has a weakened immune system.
The government’s guidance makes clear this can include unpaid family members, friends or neighbours. When you arrive for your appointment, simply let your GP or pharmacy know that you are a carer.
Why it matters at home
The government’s guidance for social care workers notes that flu can be serious for people in at-risk groups. For someone living with complex needs, staying well through winter also helps protect the routines and support that work for them.
The same guidance explains that having the vaccine helps protect not only you, but your family and the people you care for. It also notes that people who have been vaccinated and still catch flu are likely to have a milder, shorter illness. Being vaccinated also lowers the chance of passing flu on to someone more vulnerable.
When and how to book
The guidance says the best time to have a flu vaccine is in the autumn, from October to the end of November. If you miss that window, it is not too late: the NHS says the last date to get this season’s vaccine is 31 March 2027.
You can book:
- online through the NHS website or the NHS App
- at a pharmacy that offers the free vaccine
- by contacting your GP surgery
If the person you care for finds appointments difficult, it is worth talking to their GP surgery about what would help.
How we can help
At Synergy Complex Care, we provide care and support at home for adults and children with complex needs in and around Bristol. We work in partnership with the people we support, their families and their healthcare professionals to create highly personalised care and support plans, so that day-to-day care fits around each person and what matters to them, through every season.
If you are starting to think about care at home for yourself or someone you love, or would just like to talk through your options before winter, we would be glad to hear from you. Call us on 0117 403 7878 or email info@synergycomplexcare.com. There is no pressure, just a friendly conversation.