Are you entitled to a free flu jab?
As the weather starts to get colder it can make you more likely to catch a winter illness such as flu which can be very serious.
We want to try and help you stay well this winter by giving you all the information you need to understand what is available this winter.
Free flu jabs – at risk
Free flu jabs are available to people that fall into the ‘at risk’ category. These include:
- Children – pre-school and year 1, 2 and 3
- Pregnant women
- Under 65s in clinical risk groups, eg:
- chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis
- chronic heart disease, such as heart failure
- chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five
- chronic liver disease
- chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone disease, or learning disability
- diabetes
- splenic dysfunction
- a weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment)
- 65 and over
- Obese – BMI 40 and over
- Carers (paid and unpaid)
If you fall into these groups, speak to your GP surgery or pharmacy today about getting a flu jab.
Free flu jabs – frontline health and social care workers that offer direct care
To help reduce the spread of flu to vulnerable people, all frontline health and social care workers are also entitled to a free flu jab provided by the NHS under their Seasonal Influenza Vaccination campaign.
All you need to do is visit your GP or pharmacist with your Oldham Cares ID badge or a branded confirmation letter from your line manager and you can claim your free jab.
Note: you must notify your line manager when you have had the jab so it can be recorded and we can measure the success of this campaign.
Free flu jabs – Fit for Oldham
The Fit for Oldham team has arranged workplace flu jab sessions for Oldham Council colleagues that do not fit into these groups.
Sessions take place on:
| Date | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 1 October | Civic Centre, Crompton Room A | 2pm – 4.30pm |
| Tuesday 2 October | Southlink, meeting room 13 | 9 – 11.30am |
| Wednesday 3 October | Alexandra Park, Top Offices | 9.30am – 12noon |
| Thursday 4 October | Chadderton Town Hall, Caretakers Office | 2.30 – 5pm |
| Monday 8 October | Civic Centre, Room 4C | 9.30am – 12noon |
Advice on ways to stay well this winter
Pharmacist – it’s important that you speak to a pharmacist at the first signs of feeling unwell, even if it’s just a cough or cold, don’t wait until it becomes more serious.
Keep warm – this may help prevent colds, flu or more serious health conditions such as heart attacks, strokes and pneumonia.
Eat well – food gives you energy, which helps to keep you warm. So, try to have regular hot meals and drinks throughout the day.
Call 111 – if you think you need urgent medical attention, call 111 where fully trained advisors are available 24 hours a day and can put you straight through to healthcare professionals.
We understand that it can be difficult to fit health appointments in during a busy working week so there are arrangements in place which allow for you to go for your flu vaccination during working hours (where service delivery allows). To arrange this, please speak to your manage to discuss a convenient time.
Flu jabs are available from the first week of October right through to the end of January.
For more information about how to stay well this winter, visit www.nhs.uk/staywell
#Jabdone!