The staff winter vaccine programme will begin on Monday 16 September 2024.
Eligibility
Frontline Health & social Care workers (H&SCWs) are eligible for flu vaccination this winter in line with advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). Seasonal flu vaccination will also continue to be offered to non-frontline NHS workers as part of the national programme, as a Scottish Government policy decision. This winter, whilst the JCVI has not advised COVID-19 vaccination for frontline H&SCWs, Scottish Government has made the policy decision to include frontline H&SCWs and staff working in care homes for older adults for COVID-19 vaccination this winter.
Eligibility in 2024/25 is as follows:
- Frontline H&SCWs with a direct patient facing role will be offered this year’s seasonal flu vaccine and a vaccine for COVID-19.
- Non-frontline H&SCWs (who are not in a direct patient facing role) will be offered seasonal flu vaccine only.
For those who are eligible for both vaccines, where possible these will be offered at the same time. The evidence shows that administration of both vaccines together is a safe and efficient way to deliver maximum protection over winter months. Everyone who is eligible will be offered a vaccine that is safe and effective for them.
Why are these vaccines so important?
The flu vaccine is the best way to help protect yourself against flu this year. It reduces the risk of spreading flu to your family, patients and colleagues who could be at risk of catching the virus.
Having a winter COVID-19 vaccine at the appropriate time will help maintain protection against severe COVID-19 disease this winter, and if eligible we recommend you take the opportunity when offered.
Immunisation of health and social care staff aims to protect workers at high risk of exposure. If you don’t have face to face patient contact, and are not otherwise eligible, there is no need to have an additional COVID-19 vaccine at this time – it is still important to have your seasonal flu vaccination though.
Getting the vaccines you are eligible for will also support your health, safety and wellbeing over the winter period and help reduce the level of sickness absence. This, in turn, will support staff to maintain services for patients.