For health and social care workers, the wellbeing of people they support is at the heart of everything they do, and one of the best ways they can protect those they care for is by getting flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to protect against a ‘tripledemic’ of viruses this winter.

Many people in hospitals, care homes and community settings are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can be severe in older adults, causing pneumonia and worsening existing lung disease and other long-term conditions.

Flu season usually peaks in December and January so starting adult vaccinations from October ensures those most at risk are protected during the colder months when people gather indoors, and viruses spread.

Earlier this month, new figures from UKHSA showed that over the past two winters there have been at least 18,000 deaths associated with flu and over 19,500 deaths associated with COVID-19.

Outbreaks of flu and COVID-19 in care settings can have serious consequences. A single case can quickly spread, putting not only people at risk but other visitors and staff. In hospital, residential or care homes, flu and COVID-19 outbreaks can lead to hospitalisations, problems with staffing, and even deaths.

Anna Knight, Chief Executive of the Dorset Care Association, which provides support to care providers all over Dorset  said,

“Thank you to our staff who are staying on track with their vaccinations. By getting vaccinated, you are helping the vulnerable people you work with and your colleagues too. This means that staff stay well over the winter months, to continue to provide high-quality care to those who need it most.”

Staff looking to have the flu and COVID-19 vaccinations can find out how to book by visiting www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk/vaccinations. There are also walk ins happening across various locations such as Weymouth, Bournemouth, Purbeck and Poole every week for flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Staff can also help people they care for by making sure they are aware of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) jab that is  available to those aged 75 to 79 and to pregnant women from 28 weeks of pregnancy to protect their child, with evidence showing it could prevent thousands of A&E attendances, hospital admissions, and serious cases this winter alone.

For more information about all these vaccinations, visit www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk/vaccinations.

Further information

Those eligible for a flu vaccination this year include:

From 1 September:

  • pregnant women
  • all children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
  • primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
  • secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
  • all children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years

From 3 October:

  • those aged 65 years and over
  • those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book)
  • 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
  • frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers and those that are employed by Those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants

Those eligible for an autumn COVID-19 vaccination are:

  • residents in a care home for older adults
  • all adults aged 65 years and over
  • persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in the Green Book, including pregnant women
  • frontline health and social care workers and staff in care homes for older adults

You can also visit: Winter vaccinations – what can I have and how do I book? – Stay Well Dorset