Jenny Hurst invites you to get your flu jab this autumn

Invitation to book your flu vaccination: a message to all staff from Chief Nurse, Jenny Hurst.

Our annual flu vaccination programme kick starts this week, with appointments available Trust wide from 1 October.

Every single member of Mersey Care staff is invited to take advantage of this offer, and you can book your appointment now.

Flu is not like the common cold, it is a serious infection that can kill – but this is preventable when we make the choice to get vaccinated. 

In February 2025, flu rates spiked to the highest levels seen in 15 years. Last winter in England, there were 7,757 deaths from flu, and flu patients accounted for 340,000 bed days. Yet the uptake of staff vaccination has declined steadily year on year – falling nationally from 74% in 2019/20 to just 37.8% in 2024/25.

Vaccines, as always, remain our best protection against infection.

Here are some things you should know:

1. Vaccines use your body’s natural defences to build resistance to specific infections and make your immune system stronger.
2. The sooner you get vaccinated the better. Vaccines take approx. two weeks to provide the required immune response – so think ahead.
3. If you are vaccinated and catch flu this winter, you are likely to have milder symptoms and recover faster, cutting your risk of being seriously ill or even hospitalised.
4. The vaccine is estimated to have prevented between 96,000 and 120,200 people from being hospitalised last winter.
5. By having your flu vaccination, you are helping to stop the spread of flu, while protecting yourself and our most vulnerable people too.

Most importantly, doing what you can to stay fit and well this winter protects your family, our patients and service users, and each other.

In line with JCVI guidance, the Covid-19 vaccine isn't being offered to frontline healthcare workers this autumn, however if you meet the eligibility criteria please contact the vaccine team who can arrange this for you.

If you have questions or concerns, please speak with our vaccination team in confidence. It is important that you are supported to make an informed decision. Please check our frequently asked questions, call 0151 473 2812 or email vaccinations@merseycare.nhs.uk.