Flu jabs for carers
The seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and the person you care for from flu, and will prevent you being stopped from being able to care.
If you are caring for someone you may be concerned about how being ill will affect you as a carer and the person you care for.
Carers are eligible to receive the seasonal flu vaccine free each winter.
If you are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person who may be put at risk if you fall ill, and/or you are in receipt of Carer's Allowance you should be offered a flu jab, according to government policy. This will be at your GP's discretion depending on your need.
You should explain your concerns for the welfare of the person you’re looking after if you should fall ill and your GP will decide whether you need a flu jab based on this information.
The following groups of people should also be offered a flu jab:
- those aged 65 years and over
- those aged six months or over who are in a clinical risk group (if you have health problems of your own, your GP should check to see if you fall into one of these groups)
- those living in long-stay residential care homes or other long-stay care facilities where the infection could spread easily and put lives at risk (this doesn’t include prisons, young offender institutions or university halls of residence)
