Both flu and COVID-19 can be life-threatening and getting both flu and COVID-19 increases risk of serious illness. Even if you’re healthy, you can still catch these viruses and spread them to people you care for.
As a carer or personal assistant, either paid or unpaid, you’re more likely to be exposed to the flu and COVID-19 viruses. You also care for people who may be at greater risk and it’s easy to pass these viruses on without knowing.
The flu and COVID-19 vaccines are the best defence against these potentially life-threatening viruses for carers and the people they care for.
The flu and COVID-19 vaccines are both now available to carers ahead of winter. If you haven’t got any earlier doses that you need of the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s not too late. You can get these right now and will be welcomed at a local vaccination centre to get up to date.
If you work in a care home, the COVID-19 booster and flu vaccine may be offered through your employer. If not, you can still get the COVID-19 and flu vaccines through the NHS free of charge.
Whether you’re a paid or unpaid carer, you can book your COVID-19 booster through the National Booking Service, call 119 or find a walk-in appointment through the online vaccination walk-in finder. The flu vaccine may be offered at the same time but if not you can get this at a GP practice or community pharmacy at another time – it’s better to get what you need as soon as you can rather than waiting to have both at the same time.