Social care staff of all ages who have direct hands-on duties are eligible to receive the flu vaccine this year. Appointment booking is open now.
The winter vaccine programme is targeted at those delivering direct care, whether employed by local authorities, independent or third sector employers.
Scottish Care, the Coalition of Care and Support Providers in Scotland, the Care Inspectorate and the Scottish Social Services Council support this approach.
Social care organisations and employers have discretion to assess if their workforce, or a proportion of it, are in direct contact with people receiving services, including those working with children and young people.
Individuals are asked to self-identify as a social care worker who has direct contact with people receiving services when booking vaccination appointments or when arriving at a vaccination clinic.
Getting your flu vaccine
For more information about the winter vaccines and to book an appointment online visit www.nhsinform.scot/wintervaccines.
If you cannot access the online booking system, you can call the Vaccination Helpline on 0800 030 8013 (open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm).
Vaccine arrangements for eligible workers are different across Scotland so look out for your local health board communications about clinics, drop-ins and other opportunities to get your vaccine close to home or work.
Why should I get the flu vaccine?
Flu can be serious. For some people, it can lead to complications that may require hospital care and can be life threatening.
The flu vaccine helps protect you from the most common flu viruses. If you do get flu and have been vaccinated, the symptoms are likely to be milder and not last as long. Getting the vaccine will reduce your risk of needing to go to hospital with serious flu illness.
The flu vaccine helps to reduce the spread of flu and helps protect those around you from getting ill.
The flu vaccine protects you against the main types of flu circulating this winter. A different vaccine is made every year to ensure the best protection against the latest types of flu.
It’s important to keep up to date with the vaccines you’re offered and we encourage all eligible staff to take up this opportunity to help protect themselves against flu this winter.