Protecting ourselves and others from flu

This winter, protecting ourselves and those around us from flu is more important than ever. Flu can be a very serious illness, and having a seasonal flu vaccine is one of the best ways of protecting ourselves from catching or spreading flu. To support the health and wellbeing of staff, volunteers, and people supported; our flu campaign is actively encouraging people to get a seasonal flu and sharing lots of useful information about seasonal flu, and the flu vaccination.

Our campaign is sharing information a number of different ways, including on the Employee Facebook Group, The Wall (intranet), The Wellbeing Hub, e-mails, and manager briefings. The Wellbeing Hub contains useful videos about flu awareness and the flu jab, an easy read guide on flu, and a template letter mirus staff can take to a Pharmacy to prove they are a Domiciliary Care Worker.

We are promoting 3 ways people can get a flu jab:

1. Get a free flu jab at your local Pharmacy or GP if you are more vulnerable to flu

Certain groups of people are able to get a free flu vaccination because they may be more vulnerable to flu. If you fall into the groups below, you should be able to get a free flu vaccination from your GP or local participating Community Pharmacy.

• Adults with learning disabilities
• Adults with long term health conditions making them more vulnerable to flu (this can include asthma, COPD, bronchitis, heart conditions, diabetes, being very overweight (a BMI of 40 or above), a weakened immune system due to medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy.
• Pregnant women
• Adults over 50.

If you fall into the groups above, we’d recommend contacting your GP or pharmacy first, before requesting a flu voucher.

2.Get a flu voucher for a jab at your local Boots Pharmacy

mirus staff have the opportunity to get  a flu voucher that can be used in a local Boots Pharmacy to get a flu vaccination. We see this as a fairer and more equal way to give staff from all regions access to a flu vaccination.

There are only 100 flu vouchers, offered on a first come, first served basis.

Please note: if you are eligible for a free flu jab on grounds of health, pregnancy, age (over 50) or disability (see more information below), we’d encourage you to access the free flu vaccination from your GP or local community pharmacy.

1. Send an e-mail to Health&Wellbeing@mirus-wales.org.uk asking for a flu voucher, and include your
   1. Name
   2. Date of birth
   3. mirus e-mail address
   4. Mobile phone number.
2. Once a week, on a Monday, starting from September 20th, we’ll place an order for flu vouchers and they will be sent to your work e-mail address you provided.
3. Take the voucher to your local Boots Pharmacy to get your flu jab.

Please note:

• Vouchers will start to be distributed until w/c 20th September. Most Boots Pharmacies are unable to offer flu vaccinations until mid-September.
• Vouchers will only be sent to mirus e-mail addresses. Requests containing personal e-mail addresses will not be accepted.
• Vouchers are not transferable, and can only be used by the recipient.
  

  

3. Get a free flu jab at your local Pharmacy as a Health and Social Care Worker

As a Health and Social Care Worker, you are entitled to the free flu jab from participating local community pharmacies. Last year, supply of the flu vaccination was challenging, and some people experienced difficulties getting a flu jab this way. We hope with more supply this year, things are better.

Download the Domiciliary Care letter for staff from The Wellbeing Hub, and take it with you when you have a flu vaccination appointment at a local community pharmacy, taking part in the flu programme.