The health of you, your family and our patients is important.
If you catch flu, you are able to spread the virus without having any symptoms. If you do develop symptoms this may also take you away from those that depend on you, be that your family or patients.
The flu vaccination can be between 60-90% effective depending on how closely matched this year’s circulating strains are to the virus, it is the best protection we have against a virus that can cause serious complications. This year's vaccine contains protection against the leading strains of flu virus as researched by the World Health Organisation.
In the majority of people, both the flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster is very well tolerated and everyone can get on with their day, knowing the vaccine will soon be protecting them and those they care for.
It can take up to two weeks for both vaccines to provide protection. Some people might feel a slight soreness or develop bruising at the injection site.
In very rare cases the vaccine can cause fever, malaise and joint pain, often this is confused with "having the flu" but this is just your immune system responding as it should to make antibodies to protect against each virus. Severe reactions are extremely rare and all vaccinators are trained to manage any rare adverse effects.
If you get protected early at your GP or a pharmacist, or anywhere else outside of the Trust, please let us know so that we can accurately measure the level of protection the Trust has. Vaccinations are not mandatory, but we do encourage maximum uptake across all staff to keep you, and the people you care for, as safe and healthy as possible.
To let the winter vaccination team know you’ve had your vaccinations, please complete the form:
Complete the notification form
If you've experienced flu, you'll know it is extremely unpleasant.
While levels of protection may vary, the vaccine can provide up to 80% protection against strains of the flu virus, particularly where the vaccine strain matches the circulating strain. The WHO researches circulating strains and uses lots of surveillance data from around the world to make a well-informed decision on what strains are likely to be dominant strains in the next flu season.
In people who have been vaccinated but still develop flu, the symptoms are often found to be milder. In a study by The Lancet, up to 77% of people carrying flu have no symptoms. By not having the vaccine, you could be more likely to spread the virus to your patients and family without knowing.
With the threat of COVID-19 and flu circulating together, it is important to protect ourselves against both viruses as much as possible. For the flu, we have a vaccine that we know is effective.
The vaccine is given as a small injection to the upper arm. The Trust does not supply the nasal spray version.
Once you've had the vaccine, your protection will last for around a year.
As flu is a rapidly changing virus, it is recommended that you receive the vaccine each year.
UHB staff will receive the Supemtek Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine. This vaccine is egg-free. See the vaccine page:
All staff across the Trust clinical and non-clinical, including students and volunteers, are entitled to the free vaccine.
Staff over 65 years old, and those with long-term or chronic health conditions should seek their vaccine as soon as it is available as flu poses greater risks for those staff groups.
GPs provide the vaccine to children, pregnant women, people with serious or chronic conditions, and over-65s free of charge.
The vaccine will also be available to over-50s for free at GPs and pharmacies. However, this will only be available later in the flu season – this is to ensure older adults and those who are more at risk have priority access to the vaccination.
However as a member of staff, you can receive the vaccination as soon as it is available within the hospital.
If you do receive the vaccination outside of the Trust (e.g. at your GP, in a supermarket or at a pharmacy), please let us know about this so we can keep track of the Trust’s level of flu protection.
To let the flu team know you’ve had your vaccination, please complete the form:
Complete the notification form
Yes, it's strongly recommended that pregnant women are vaccinated, and this is perfectly safe. It's more dangerous to catch the flu while pregnant and the vaccination can provide immunity for your new born baby for a short time after they are born.
The injection only takes a few moments. Following the injection, it's recommended that you wait for around 10 minutes to ensure there's no adverse reaction to the injection.
Please remember to wear a mask, to wash your hands and to keep a safe distance if you find that there are queues for the vaccination at any of the sessions.
If you can't find the answers you're looking for on these pages, please email the Communications Team.
Yes – we encourage all students to be vaccinated too. Just show your ID at the vaccination centre. You are also able to have your vaccinations where these are available from roving vaccination teams on the wards.
If you have a needle phobia, or are anxious about getting the vaccine, there are a limited number of flu vaccination appointments available with Occupational Health. There would be support of one of our counsellors during the appointment. These are booked appointments only and are only accessible by emailing the department:
Please use the subject line "needle-phobic flu appointment" and include your contact details so one of the administration team can call you to book your appointment.
Vaccination against the Covid-19 virus offers up to 90% protection against contracting the virus, developing severe symptoms, requiring hospitalisation and even death.
The vaccines have been proven to also significantly reduce the transmission of the virus, which is incredibly important in ensuring asymptomatic people are not unknowingly passing on the virus to others especially those elderly and clinically vulnerable who you may come into contact with.
Healthcare workers are eligible for a COVID-19 booster.
Birmingham and Solihull Vaccination Service are providing these on our four main hospital sites – visit the COVID-19 page for more information on opening times.
There are no plans for a COVID-19 vaccine to be made compulsory this year. Just as with the winter flu vaccine, local NHS employers will be working hard to ensure 100% of staff are able to get vaccinated, and that any concerns that staff have are answered. We are confident that the vast majority of our staff – as they do every year for the flu vaccine – will choose to protect themselves and their patients by getting the vaccine.
As with the annual flu jab, the NHS will not offer any COVID-19 vaccinations to staff and the public until it is safe to do so. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the official UK regulator authorising licensed use of medicines and vaccines by healthcare professionals, make this decision for each vaccine, and we have full confidence in their expert judgement and processes that this updated vaccine is safe.
As with any medicine, vaccines are highly-regulated products. There are checks at every stage in the development and manufacturing process, and continued monitoring once it has been authorised and is being used in the wider population.
The vaccine is very well tolerated with reported side effects similar to the flu jab – soreness or redness at the injection site and some have reported a headache.
Over 50 million doses have been given in the UK over the last 2 years and no long-term side effects have been identified. The MRHA conduct rigorous testing and monitoring cycles to ensure the safety of the vaccine before signing it of for use in the general population.
Based on previous vaccinations and infection rates it is estimated that immunity lasts between six to nine months.
The vaccine is given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm.
No. The vaccines are designed to produce an immune response to just a small part of the virus, the spike protein. This is the part of the virus that allows it to enter into human cells and cause infection. No whole COVID-19 virus or live virus is used in the vaccines. This means the vaccine cannot give you COVID-19 and does not make you infectious after you have had the vaccine. This means it is also safe for people with a suppressed immune system.
You will not develop full immunity until approximately 14 days after the dose, therefore it is vital that you continue to adhere to mask wearing guidelines and practice good hand hygiene. No vaccine is 100% effective so it is also important you to continue to follow any government or workplace advice even after you have completed the vaccination course.
Pregnant women and those who are breast feeding may have the vaccine, but are advised to speak to their healthcare team first before having the vaccine as there may be some rare cases where it is not advisable.
No. You are not required to have a test prior to your vaccination, however if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 infection you must follow government guidelines and must not attend the appointment. You should follow advice you have been given to re-book your appointment.
No. If you are COVID positive you should self isolate and not attend a healthcare setting until you test negative. It is recommended that you wait 28 days before having the vaccination.
Not at this time.
Yes. The vaccine offers a boost to your immune system for newer strains of the virus so getting vaccinated is just as important for those who have already had the virus as it is for those who haven’t.
Yes; antibodies produced following infection may provide some protection however may not be as effective as that provided by vaccination as the vaccine prevents against many strains. It is therefore recommended you have a vaccine if offered one.
Mask wearing is currently not mandatory. While the vaccination prevents the development of the infection in around 90% of people, there is still a chance of contracting the virus or transmission to others. It is therefore very important to practice good hygiene and follow the Trust's sickness guide.
Yes – we encourage all students to be vaccinated too. Just show your ID at the vaccination centre. You are also able to have your vaccinations where these are available from roving vaccination teams on the wards.