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

I am a senior lecturer in nursing with a special interest in travel health, though sadly I am not in a position to give individual advice here is a timely reminder for you all students and colleagues alike.

June is upon us and many of you may be thinking of what you will be doing with your holiday time. Remember if you are heading away from UK shores it is advisable to seek travel health advice six weeks before travel.   Book your appointment with your practice nurse soon, you may even need to consult a specialist travel clinic.   Some vaccinations are free but others will cost you – remember to factor this into the cost of your holiday. You can find out information about vaccinations and the many other health and safety risks you may encounter on holiday – some may affect you in the UK as well as abroad – by looking at the following websites:

www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

www.travelhealthpro.org.uk

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Two thinks to remember:

1. In Europe the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is only valid for five years and will only cover for emergency treatment of the level provided to citizens of the country you are in so additional travel insurance is essential as for places beyond Europe.
2. Vaccination only protects you against 5-10% of potential health related risks, our behaviour is responsible for the other 90-95% consider what you do, take care with food, water, alcohol, sexual activity, general activities, using locally hired equipment and vehicles as there is always a potential risk.

Finally just to say don’t forget to enjoy yourself and return safely.

Sharon Graham, Senior Lecturer, Department of Nursing, S.R.Graham@staffs.ac.uk