Flu Vaccination: Protect Yourself and Your Patients

Getting your flu vaccination is one of the most important things you can do as a healthcare worker this winter.

The challenge we’re facing

Flu vaccination rates among healthcare staff are declining. In 2024/25, less than 38% of NHS staff were vaccinated. In social care, rates were even lower — below 15% for care home staff.

Why flu vaccination matters

• Last winter, around 8,000 people died from flu in England.
• Vaccination prevented 96,000–120,200 hospitalisations.
• Healthcare workers are more likely to catch and spread flu.
• Even healthy people can have flu without symptoms and pass it on

How effective is the vaccine?

The flu vaccine:

• Makes symptoms milder and shorter if you do catch flu.
• Protects for up to 3 months after vaccination.

What about side effects?

Most people have no side effects.

Some may have:

• Mild temperature for 1–2 days.
• Sore arm where injected.
• These are much milder than actual flu.
  
  Getting vaccinated means you’re less likely to be off sick when your team needs you
  most during winter pressures.