OFFICIAL: ASC Flu vaccine uptake Nov 25
Please find attached and below important information regarding the ASC Flu vaccine uptake.
Dear Colleagues,
We wrote to you in September ahead of this year’s flu vaccination campaign. We are now providing details on the flu vaccination campaign for 2025/2026, and reinforcing the vital role vaccination plays in protecting staff, people accessing care and support, and everyone working in adult social care settings. Further guidance and insights can be found on the UKHSA blog and in the latest report on early influenza vaccine effectiveness.
Flu can have a serious impact and every year we see a number of outbreaks of acute respiratory illness in care homes. Last winter in England, there were around 8,000 deaths from flu and the flu vaccination programme is estimated to have prevented around 100,000 people from being hospitalised.
Flu can cause serious illness and the virus remains highly unpredictable. This year, the flu season has arrived earlier than usual so it is critical that those who are eligible stay strong and get vaccinated. Flu vaccination remains the most effective method of protection against flu. By being vaccinated, social care staff protect not only themselves from illness during the busy winter months, but also vulnerable people by reducing transmission risk.
Vaccine eligibility
Social care providers, nursing and residential homes should offer flu vaccination to all staff directly involved in delivering care, as part of their occupational health responsibilities.
Frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer-led occupational health scheme, can access the flu vaccine through the NHS free of charge. This includes those working in caring roles in all residential and domiciliary care settings.
Individuals may also be eligible for a free flu vaccination based on individual circumstances. This includes:
those aged 65 years and over
those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book, Influenza chapter 19)
those in long-stay residential care homes
carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
close contacts of immunocompromised individuals pregnant women
Free flu vaccinations for eligible individuals are available at GP surgeries, community pharmacies, maternity services or a care home. You can book a flu vaccination appointment at a pharmacy online, or in the NHS app now. For further information on this, please visit the NHS website on flu vaccines.
Getting vaccinated in the run-up to Christmas will greatly benefit your staff and those relying on care and support, helping to strengthen the sector and ensure resilience throughout the winter.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Kind regards,
Claire Armstrong
Director of Adult Social Care Data, Assurance and Resilience