If you are a health and social care student who has contact with vulnerable patients/clients then yes you should get your annual influenza vaccine.
If you are eligible because you have a long-term condition, are pregnant or registered carer of a person you look after (not employed carer) your GP surgery or local vaccinating pharmacy will provide this for you free of charge.

Hospital and Community Trusts are hosting clinics provided by local occupational health service providers and certainly student nurses & ODPs can access this service for free. Trusts also have teams of ‘roving’ staff who will vaccinate out of hours.
I am sure similar will be available for social care sector, ambulance services and social work students.

Remember it is important to get vaccinated early in the season, before a patient/client has the chance to share with you or you with them. Equally you could take it home to your nearest and dearest. Flu is not a pleasant illness to have and may have serious consequences in the longer term.

More information can be found in:
The National Influenza Immunisation Programme 2017/18
Information for Health Care Practitioners about the use of the inactivated influenza vaccine.

Click to access Inactivated_influenza_vaccine_information_for_healthcare_practitioners.pdf

Check your eligibility and make your appointment early before you are too late!
Some health and social care university employees may be eligible depending on their interaction with health care environments, notification about this expected shortly.

If you want to protect yourself then a number of pharmacy chains and supermarket pharmacies will be able to administer a flu vaccine for a small fee (TESCO £9 plus loyalty card points! – other supermarkets are available)

I’ve had mine, have you had yours?

Sharon