All Mersey Care staff are invited to attend one of our vaccination clinics for their annual flu and COVID-19 jab. You can search all available dates and locations using Simply Book which will be updated regularly.
Please note COVID-19 vaccinations will only be available until mid-December.
To give every member of staff the opportunity to receive their vaccines as conveniently as possible and help protect you this winter, the vaccination team are offering a number of clinics.
If you have a team of 6 or more staff requiring vaccination, we can arrange a clinic at your base at a time and date to suit – please contact the vaccination centre to arrange on 0151 473 2812.
The vaccines take approximately two weeks to provide the required immune response and as such, should not be delayed unnecessarily.
You will be able to combine your flu vaccination appointment with your COVID-19 booster until the 15 December; the flu vaccination clinics will continue until 31 March.
Staff receiving the vaccine must bring confirmation of their Trust employment status such as a verified Trust ID badge, and their NHS number. Find your NHS number easily here.
This vaccine offer is for Mersey Care staff only. Please do not share the link or book appointments on behalf of people who do not work for the Trust.
So, why get vaccinated?
Vaccines are our best protection against flu and COVID-19. Over the last few years they have kept tens of thousands of people out of hospital and helped to save countless lives. In winter, flu and COVID-19 spread more easily as we spend more time indoors. Getting these vaccines ahead of winter are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe and well.
Joe Rafferty says: “The efficacy of vaccinations has been proven time after time during this last year. As healthcare professionals and providers, we should be seen as leaders. Clinically vulnerable people are six times more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19 than their peers. Together with the risks of flu transmission, that puts us all in a very clear position of responsibility.”
If you have a questions about getting vaccinated against flu or COVID-19, check our FAQ below or get in touch by email vaccinations
Watch our short animation about the importance of having your flu jab.
FAQs
Our vaccination offer is available to all Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust employed staff who are involved in the day to day running of the organisation (including regular bank, agency staff and students).
Further information on eligibility can be found here.
While it is safe to have both vaccines at the same time, we understand that some staff would prefer to be vaccinated for flu and COVID-19 on different days. If you would prefer to do this, please tell your vaccinator on the day. When you’re ready to go ahead with your next vaccine, use Simply Book to find an available timeslot.
The JCVI has advised that, for most people, it is fine to have the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. Where possible, we encourage you to get both vaccines in the same appointment to ensure you are protected against both viruses.
If this is not possible, we encourage you to get each vaccine as soon as you can, rather than waiting to get both at the same time. If you receive both vaccines in one appointment but originally booked two, please do cancel the other appointment so that it becomes available for someone else.
If you need to cancel your appointment, please use the link in your confirmation email, or contact: vaccinations
It’s important to let us know if you unable to attend an appointment, so that your slot can be offered to someone else.
To rearrange, please use Simply Book.
Our registered nurses will administer your flu protection in one arm and your COVID-19 booster in the other arm.
If you have been vaccinated already, please help us keep our records up to date by emailing: vaccinations
We have plans for vaccinating inpatients in place, prioritising the clinically extremely vulnerable and over 70s. It’s important that service users, patients and all staff are protected.
Questions can be directed to: vaccinations@merseycare.nhs.uk
The Trust is currently using Pfizer Comirnaty B.A 4-5 COVID Vaccine. A new version will be available early October – Pfizer Comirnaty XBB.1.5.
There is no evidence that one vaccine offers more protection than the other; this is because we currently do not know which COVID variant is the most dominant in the UK.
What we do know is that they will both offer a level of protection and it is more important to get vaccinated early as we head into the winter season and see a rise in infection rates.
To maintain a high level of protection through the coming winter, frontline healthcare workers will be offered the flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and those in their care who are most at risk.
For some, flu and COVID-19 are unpleasant illnesses. But for many, particularly those with certain health conditions, they can be very dangerous and even life threatening. Every winter, thousands die from flu and people can still get very ill or die from COVID-19. Catching both viruses increases the risk of serious illness even further.
As a healthcare worker, you’re more likely to be exposed to the viruses. You will also be caring for people who may be at greater risk from these viruses. Being healthy doesn’t reduce your risk of getting these viruses or passing them on. You can have flu and COVID-19 without any symptoms and pass it on to family, friends, colleagues and patients, many of whom may be at increased risk of serious illness if they get these viruses.
Vaccines are our best protection against flu and COVID-19. Over the last few years they have kept tens of thousands of people out of hospital and helped to save countless lives. Getting your vaccines is straight forward and while some people may experience some mild short lived side effects, they will keep you protected and if you do run into these viruses, your symptoms are likely to be milder and you may recover faster, cutting your risk of being hospitalised.
Getting both vaccines ahead of winter, when the viruses spread more easily, are two of the most important things you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe, so you can continue to be there for the people you care for.
Keep checking Simply Book (and look out for updates in staff newsletters and staff Facebook) for the latest information on our clinics. New dates and locations will be added regularly.
