Time to Get our Annual Flu Jabs at Carefound Home Care

As the flu season approaches we at Carefound Home Care are supporting our team to protect themselves, their families and their clients by getting a free flu jab.

Flu can be a serious illness and for many people it may be fatal. On average 8,000 people die from the flu every year, but in the winter of 2017/18, there were an estimated 26,000 deaths in the UK.

Almost all Carefound Home Care clients are aged over 65 and many are living with long-term health conditions. This can make the effects of flu particularly serious. Our staff our also more likely to be exposed to flu, and pass it on, since they work directly with their elderly clients.

We therefore make every effort to support and encourage our professional home care teams to maintain effective infection control and get the flu vaccination.

What is the flu?

Influenza (the “flu”) is a common infectious viral illness spread by coughs and sneezes. It appears most frequently in winter and early spring and attacks the body by spreading through the upper and / or lower respiratory tract. Although the symptoms of a common cold and the flu are similar, flu is much worse with symptoms such as a high fever for several days, body aches, fatigue and weakness.

Why should health and social care workers get the flu jab?

Vaccination helps prevent health and social care workers passing flu on to, or getting flu from, their clients. It also helps the NHS and social care services to keep running effectively during a flu outbreak, when GPs and hospital services are particularly busy.

How long will the flu vaccine protect me for?

The flu vaccine will provide protection for you for the upcoming flu season. People eligible for flu vaccination should have the vaccine each year. There are several types of flu vaccine. Those eligible will be offered the one that is most effective for them, depending upon their age.

Can the flu vaccine cause flu?

No. The injected vaccine does not contain any live viruses, so it cannot cause flu. You may get a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days afterwards, and your arm may feel a bit sore where you had the injection. Other reactions are rare, and flu vaccines have a good safety record.

When is the best time to get my flu jab?

The best time to have a flu jab is in the autumn, from the beginning of October to the end of November. If you miss this time, you can have the flu vaccine later in the winter, although it’s best to get it earlier.

Is there anyone who cannot have a flu vaccine?

Yes. You should not have the flu vaccine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a flu vaccine or one of its ingredients. This happens very rarely. You also need to take precautions if you have an egg allergy.

What we are doing at Carefound Home Care

At Carefound Home Care we promote the flu jab to all of our professional carers and encourage our teams to get vaccinated. This includes supporting our staff to access a free flu jab as a health and social care worker at their registered GP or pharmacy, or to use our free corporate scheme where they can get a flu jab at any Boots Pharmacy across the UK.

We are also participating in the NHS England efforts to encourage people across health and social care to get their flub jab using social media during #jabathon week from 14th – 18th October.

Let’s help protect ourselves, our families and our clients!