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@merseycare.nhs.uk

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.

How effective is the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine will help prevent you getting flu and is your best protection against the virus. It will not stop all flu viruses but if you do get flu after vaccination, it’s likely to be milder and shorter-lived than it would otherwise have been. It takes between 10 and 14 days for your immune system to respond fully after you’ve had the flu jab.

How effective is the COVID-19 vaccine?

The vaccination programme has already substantially reduced the risk from severe COVID-19 in the UK population.

Can I still catch COVID-19 after having the vaccine?

The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19 disease. It may take a few days for your body to build up some protection from the booster. Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective – some people may still get COVID-19 despite having a vaccination, but this should be less severe.

Our registered nurses will administer your flu protection in one arm and your COVID-19 booster in the other arm.

Information for vaccination hesitant colleagues

Within the Trust we have: supportive conversations with managers, access to our specific email address for questions: Mandatoryvaccinations@merseycare.nhs.uk, access to our staff support services including psychological therapies and two specific question and answer sessions.

The Trust is finalising the policy regarding mandatory vaccinations and consistency across divisions. Within the Trust we have:

Please find helpful links with further information:

Blood clots

The MHRA statement.

The  AstraZeneca statement 

Suspected adverse drug reactions and how to report them

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) request that all suspected side effects to COVID-19 vaccines are reported via the dedicated coronavirus Yellow Card site. 

Suspected side effects should be reported using one of the following routes:

Your GP must be informed of any adverse reaction to a vaccine so it can be recorded in your medical records. Similarly, if reporting sickness absence due to side effects, please let your line manager know.

For further information in relation to this, please contact: Debbie.bowden@merseycare.nhs.uk

Vegan/vegetarian friendly?

There is no material of foetal or animal origin, including eggs, in either vaccine. All ingredients are published in healthcare information on the MHRA’s website. For the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine information is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19

Hesitant?

If you’re still not convinced, hear from Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam.

Please find a link to information on the COVID-19 vaccine in easy read for sharing.

General resources for specific groups:

Yes. The NHS would not offer any vaccinations to the public until it is safe to do so. The MHRA, the official UK regulator authorising licensed use of medicines and vaccines by healthcare professionals, has said these vaccines are safe and highly effective, and we have full confidence in their expert judgement and processes.

As with any medicine, vaccines are highly regulated products. There are checks at every stage in the development and manufacturing process, and continued monitoring once it has been authorised and is being used in the wider population.

If you have been vaccinated already, please help us keep our records up to date by emailing: vaccinations@merseycare.nhs.uk.

Can I have the flu vaccine if I’m pregnant?

Yes, all pregnant women are recommended to receive the flu vaccine. There is evidence that suggests pregnant women are at increased risk from complications if they contract flu, the flu vaccine is the best protection against this.

Can I have the COVID-19 booster if I’m pregnant?

Yes. If you are pregnant and in one of the groups that the JCVI has recommended for the boosters, you are eligible to receive a booster, no earlier than 91 days after completion of the first course of vaccination.

Breastfeeding, fertility and pregnancy:

 

If you’re not eligible to be vaccinated at our clinic, please call 119 or go online to register for your vaccine appointment. You can also attend walk in, mobile or pop up vaccination clinics in your area. For more information about the COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy, please read here.

Will there be any side effects from the booster vaccine?

As with your previous dose the common side effects are the same for all COVID-19 vaccines used in the UK, and include:

  • having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection. This tends to be worst around one to two days after the vaccine
  • feeling tired
  • headache
  • general aches, or mild flu like symptoms.

You can rest and take paracetamol (follow the dose advice in the packaging) to help make you feel better. Although feeling feverish is not uncommon for two to three days, a high temperature is unusual and may indicate you have COVID-19 or another infection.

Although a fever can occur within a day or two of vaccination, if you have any other COVID-19 symptoms or your fever lasts longer, stay at home and arrange to have a test. Symptoms following vaccination normally last less than a week. If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, you can call NHS 111.

If you had serious side effects after any previous dose you may be advised to avoid or delay further vaccination. You should discuss this with your doctor or specialist.

Will I get any side effects from the flu vaccine?

The most common side effects from the flu vaccine can be a slight temperature or your arm may feel a little sore where you had the injection. Other side effects are rare.

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. 

If you have any other questions that haven't been answered above, please email: vaccinations@merseycare.nhs.uk