The importance of immunisations – seasonal influenza

1. The importance of immunisations – seasonal influenza Rachel Bell / Sarah Hall Advanced Public Health Practitioner / Primary Care Nurse Lead Torbay Council / South Devon & Torbay CCG Rachel.bell@torbay.gov.uk / sarahhall4@nhs.net

2. Outline • Myth busting • Local impact • Why vaccinate? • How do I/we get vaccinated? • Behaviour change • Free resources • Stay in touch! The importance of immunisations

3. Flu myths vs Flu facts Flu isn’t that bad, people just exaggerate about the symptoms The Flu vaccine can give me Flu? Vaccines are not proven to prevent Flu Flu viruses in vaccines are inactivated so won’t give me Flu If you have a vaccine you are about 60% less likely to get Flu The Flu vaccine should be given early to allow immunity to develop Flu pandemic is top of the UK Civilian Risk Register Flu is a major cause of death in pregnant women I’m fit and healthy I won’t spread flu around It’s better to catch Flu than have a vaccine I should wait to get vaccinated so it lasts all season The importance of immunisations

4. Your experiences of flu • £50 note test Is it the same as a heavy cold? The importance of immunisations

5. Torbay frontline healthcare worker/ children • www.youtube.com/watch?v=15pieb-313o “If you are offered the flu vaccine please take it because it doesn’t matter what age you are or how fit and healthy you think you are […] I wouldn’t want to see this happen to anyone else.” Flu vaccinations: myth-busting

6. Why vaccinate? • Vaccination is the best method we have to prevent the spread of flu • Flu can cause severe illness and even death among vulnerable groups • Having the flu vaccine before flu starts to circulate will help to protect you • “But I had the vaccine last year…” • You need to have the vaccination each year because the circulating strains change • Every year the World Health Organisation analyses the circulating viruses across the world to recommend the best vaccine match against the viruses The importance of immunisations

7. Benefits of vaccination for Health and Social Care staff • Less staff sickness due to flu (a potential saving of around £22,500 across the Torbay care sector) • Less chance of needing expensive agency staff • Less chance of residents and family members becoming ill • Reduced chance of having a flu outbreak • Happy staff, feeling cared for by their employer – be a flu champion! • http://www.nhsemployers.org/campaigns/flu-fighter/flu-fighter-care The importance of immunisations

8. A reminder – protect your family • Everyone will know someone who is an at-risk category for flu, you’re likely to have several family members of friends who will be called by their GP practice for flu vaccination: • Over 65s • Pregnant women • Those with underlying health conditions (i.e. heart disease, respiratory conditions like asthma, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, seriously overweight (BMI of 40 or above)) • Carers • The vaccine is also offered to all children aged from 2 years to school Year 5 • Encourage your friends and relatives to be vaccinated if they’re eligible Flu vaccinations: myth-busting

9. How many health and social care staff were vaccinated across Devon last year? Care Homes – 52% Domiciliary Care Providers – 38% WHO target – 75% The ask: please monitor staff vaccination uptake this year using the NHS E template (for Dom Care too!) https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/info-professional/public-health/infection-winter/care-guidance/ The importance of immunisations

10. How do we get vaccinated? • Eligible group – Health and social care staff, employed by a registered residential care/nursing home, registered domiciliary care provider or voluntary managed hospice provider, who are directly involved in the care of vulnerable patients/clients who are at increased risk from exposure to influenza. Vulnerable means those patients/clients in a clinical risk group for flu or who are aged 65 years and over. • Free from participating GPs and Pharmacies (call ahead) • Take a from of ID (badge, payslip, letter) that includes name and employing organisation • Intended to complement – not replace – established occupational health schemes that offer staff flu vaccination • Staff who already fall into the ‘at risk groups’ will receive from GPs and pharmacies as normal – record as ‘at risk’ The importance of immunisations

11. Behaviour change - EAST • Easy – simple messages, pre-arranged pharmacy visits, free resources • Attractive – rewards for action • Social: • #JABATHON (6-10th Nov) • Encourage staff to make commitments to each other • Key influencers (managers as Flu Champions) • Timely: • Make use of quieter work time, when staff are more receptive • Allow time within work to visit community pharmacies/GPs The importance of immunisations

12. Free resources / ongoing communications • http://www.nhsemployers.org/campaigns/flu-fighter/flu-fighter-care/what-free-digital-pack • https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-outbreaks-of-influenza-in-care-homes-poster • https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flu-poster-for-visitors-to-hospitals-and-care-homes • PHE Care Home Toolkit: https://www.england.nhs.uk/south/infoprofessional/public-health/infection-winter/care-guidance/ The importance of immunisations

13. Question time • Email us: • England.swscreeningandimms@nhs.net • Rachel.bell@torbay.gov.uk • flufighters@nhsemployers.org The importance of immunisations

14. The importance of immunisations