It's time to get serious about flu

CNWL vaccine clinics start next week for staff

It may be hot and sunny outside but CNWL and the wider NHS is already starting to plan for winter with the seasonal vaccination programme. 

This year we're starting our annual flu vaccination programme early to make sure we offer the best protection to NHS staff and vulnerable people against the latest circulating strains of flu.

Our clinics for CNWL staff open next week and continue until December. 

We ask that staff and vulnerable people who are invited to have the vaccine make it their priority.

Members of the public can find out more about the wider NHS vaccination schedule on this NHS webpage 

Flu vaccination is important because, while flu is unpleasant for most people, it can be dangerous and even life threatening for some people, particularly those with certain health conditions.  There is a particular risk of severe illness from catching flu for:

• older people
• the very young
• pregnant women
• those with underlying disease, such as chronic respiratory or cardiac disease
• those who are immunosuppressed.

The best time to have your flu vaccine is in the autumn or early winter before flu starts spreading. 

Last winter more people (including younger people) were in intensive care with flu than with Covid.

The flu vaccination is safe and effective and must be given annually. It cannot give you the flu. It does not protect you from Covid-19 or seasonal coughs and colds, but it does give protection against the strains of flu virus that will be circulating this year.

For CNWL staff, our Vaccination Team will travel to Trust services to offer the jab in as many locations as possible. Check Trustnet for the weekly clinics. We also have over 100 Peer Vaccinators who will support staff locally to have the vaccine at their service too. 

This year's annual flu film offers some reminders for all about why the vaccine is so important - watch it below and thank you to the staff who've contributed to it.