It's flu jab season! So have you made time for yours? If not, this is your friendly reminder!
Of course, it's not just us as carers that need our flu jab. Many of us face 'interesting' challenges in getting the people we support along to their flu jab.
I have it easy right now, as my daughter is at school - they take care of it all! All I have to do, is book my appointment, which ahem, I haven't done! I'll take writing this blog, as my kick up the bum. ;o)
So who can have the flu vaccine?
Firstly, as a carer, we're entitled to a free flu jab each year. If our GP surgery hasn't been in touch, do give them a call and make sure that a) we're registered as a carer and b) we can book our flu jab.
Aside from us lovely carers, the flu vaccine is given to people who:
are 65 and over (including those who'll be 65 by 31 March 2021)
have certain health conditions
are pregnant
are in a long-stay residential care
receive a carer's allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if you get sick
live with someone who's at high risk from coronavirus (on the NHS shielded patient list)
frontline health or social care workers
children up to Year 7
all children with a long term health condition (regardless of age)
For the full breakdown list of who is eligible click here.
Where can I get my flu jab?
There are various ways we can access a flu jab, which is helpful to know, particularly if we or the person we care for have logistical difficulties or emotionally challenges.
1. Children
Children (Reception to Y7) should be offered the vaccine via a nasal spray at their school
Children in Y8 or above (with long term condition) should go to their GP surgery
Pre-school children should go to their GP surgery
2. Adults
We can have the NHS flu vaccine at:
our GP surgery
a pharmacy offering the service
our midwifery service if we're pregnant
If we have our flu vaccine at a pharmacy, we do not have to tell the GP, as the pharmacist should tell them.
It's helpful to know that the pharmacy can help, as this may be closer to us, for example.
3. Alternative locations
Carers in our community have also mentioned various other options for getting the vaccine, including;
in some cases a district nurse can come to our home to administer the vaccine. If this would be particularly helpful for us, it may be worth a call to our GP surgery.
Tesco are offering flu jabs for £9, but we've seen examples of them waiving the fee for carers.
What to expect
There may be some anxiety around additional trips to the doctors now that lockdown has lifted. Our community have however offered a lot of reassurance, with many comments about how 'covid safe', 'quick' and 'simple' the whole process was.
What's next?
Simple. If you haven't done so already, book your appointment today! ;)