Helpful resources to support your service throughout influenza season
We have worked with the local NHS and Public Health England to create some helpful resources to support you and your service through this year’s influenza season, which has started now and is likely to last until the end of March 2020. This year, we want to prevent as many cases and outbreaks as possible.
- Make sure that Flu Vaccinations are being promoted to all staff, these are available for FREE via their GP or by visiting a participating pharmacy. There is an expectation that all frontline workers will take responsible actions and consider having the vaccination so as not to put vulnerable patients at risk
- Why not take part in PHE’s Award for influenza vaccination uptake? Through engagement with this project you will be certificated for monitoring your staff vaccination uptake. Read full details by clicking here
- Check out the updated guidance and process for managing outbreaks in all residential settings – Click here for details
Make sure your service is:
- Promoting and discussing Flu vaccinations with your staff teams
- Displaying and ensuring resources are available across your premises
- Displaying your vaccination uptake thermometer poster to show your vaccination progress and send your update to both HCPA and PHE
- Communicating to staff and families/relatives with relevant information about Flu vaccinations
Support individuals with Learning Disabilities
to receive vaccinations
If you are a service supporting people who are living with a learning disability, please make sure ALL people you support receive their free Flu vaccine this year: This is critical because, this year, Public Health England has anticipated a particularly virulent strain of the seasonal flu virus and nearly half of deaths in people with Learning Disabilities are respiratory related.
The flu injection is NOT a live vaccine; this means that the person cannot get the Flu from having the vaccine
If someone will not tolerate an injection, then you can ask for them to have the nasal spray instead. This is only licensed for children and is a live vaccine, but GP’s can prescribe it as an alternative to the injection for any adults with a Learning Disability who will not have the injection. This is deemed by the NHS to be a reasonable adjustment.
As a care practitioner, you cannot refuse the vaccine on someone else’s behalf unless you hold Lasting Power of Attorney for their health decisions.
Please use the easy read information attached and where someone does not receive the vaccine, please complete the Flu vaccine refusal / consent record. These tools are available at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/ldmyhealth under the Annual Health Check and Flu section.
Your local pharmacy can also administer the injection for FREE, if this is a preferred environment. [tick the box stating neurological disorders as the reason for their entitlement]. Please ensure you give permission for the pharmacy to share with the GP practice that this has been given.
Make sure that Flu vaccinations are being promoted to all staff, which is available for FREE via their GP or by visiting a participating pharmacy.Make sure that Flu vaccinations are being promoted to all staff, which is available for FREE via their GP or by visiting a participating pharmacy.
Click here to view all helpful resources for infection control, getting vaccines and managing outbreaks.
If you have any questions regarding our resources or questions for NHS colleagues, please get in touch with michelleairey@hcpa.info.