Seasonal Flu Vaccination Pilot Scheme
October 2021
Flu (Influenza) is a common infectious respiratory illness. You can catch flu all year round, buts it’s especially common in winter. This year our immunity to flu may be lower than usual.
The flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to help protect against flu. It will also help to reduce the risk of spreading flu to others.
Many staff will be offered the free NHS seasonal flu vaccination, likely to be offered alongside your covid-19 booster jab, and for the 25% of employees that don’t qualify for the NHS flu vaccination, the council are offering a voucher that entitles a free flu vaccination for the 2021/2022 flu season.
Those employees already eligible for the free NHS seasonal flu vaccination include:
- Over 50 years of age
- Social Care Workers who deliver direct personal care
- Pregnant Women
- Social Workers
- Persons with certain medical conditions
- Healthcare Workers
- Nursery, Primary & Secondary School Teachers and Support Staff
- Receive a carer’s allowance or are the main carer for an older or disabled person
All employees who don’t qualify in the above criteria are eligible for the Moray Council flu vaccination pilot.
Vouchers
All eligible employees will be contacted by their manager and asked if they would use a flu voucher. All responses are to be returned by 3rd November 2021.
Voucher links will be issued to employees by text or email. Any employee who does not have access to a phone or computer can choose to have a paper voucher.
Vouchers are redeemable at Boots Pharmacies. Appointments can be made online or in the pharmacy.
Boots have 3 stores in Elgin, some offer late night and weekend appointments alongside free parking. Other local Boots stores include Forres, Nairn, Inverness, Aviemore, Turriff & Inverurie.
All vouchers are to be used by 31st January 2022.
Seasonal flu is a significant cause of short term illness. It is highly contagious and can affect a large number of working adults of all ages. Offering protection against flu can help to keep employees healthy and reduce sickness absence.
The council would like to encourage all staff to take up the opportunity of a flu vaccination, either through the NHS or via a free Boots voucher. Flu can be serious and life threatening, so getting vaccinated is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself.
For more information please contact HR@moray.gov.uk