Flu season is here – get vaccinated and protect yourself

Up to one in four healthcare workers may become infected with flu during a mild season, a much higher incidence than expected in the general population.  Even when someone is symptom free, they can still spread flu viruses to vulnerable patients, other staff members as well as take it home to family members.  Between October 2024 and March 2025 there were 1,091 cases of flu detected in the Trust, with 606 cases at the Denmark Hill site and 485 at PRUH and South Sites. By offering everyone the flu vaccine, we want to keep you all safe at work and beyond.

You can get vaccinated by visiting one of our flu clinics, or ask a peer vaccinator to visit your work area.

Early information coming from Australia suggests that the flu season this year is significantly worse than last year, resulting in higher illnesses and more hospitalisations. Flu vaccination is the best defence against flu, reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and transmission to vulnerable patients.  We strongly urge you to take up the offer of a free vaccination against flu as soon as possible; and to remind your patients and their carers to get their free flu vaccines too.

Evidence around early vaccination shows that it takes between 14-21 days to become fully effective, so it is important to get protected as soon as possible so the vaccine has time to take effect.

If you have any questions regarding your flu vaccination, please look over the frequently asked questions and myth-busting, further down this page.

Denmark Hill

Clinic 2: Boardroom

Monday 6 October – 8.30am to 5pm

Tuesday 7 October 8am to 10am and 12.30pm to 1.30pm

Wednesday 8 October – 8.30am to 5pm

Thursday 9 October – 8.30am to 5pm

Peer vaccinators may also be available locally to you in specific ward areas – check Kingsweb for details.

PRUH

Location: Boardroom

Thursday 2 October – 9am to 5pm

Thursday 9 October – 1pm to 5pm

Orpington

Beckenham Beacon

Clinic location: Room 9

Queen Mary’s Hospital, Sidcup

Please contact Sue A’Court who will be happy to come and give you your flu vaccine

Phone: 020 3910 7419 / (internal: 107419)

E-mail: susan.a’[email protected]

Peer vaccinators

Staff from a variety of roles are encouraged to join up as peer vaccinators to help administer flu vaccinations. As an added bonus to those that sign up, prize draws will be held each month between October 2025 and March 2026.

Peer vaccinators are trained and can give the vaccine in wards and departments across the Trust at a time that suits everyone. If you’re interested in being a peer vaccinator first ensure your manager is happy then email the Occupational Health team, with your manager in copy, at: [email protected] for more information. Those applying must be registered health care professionals such as nurses, midwives, pharmacists, operating department practitioners or physiotherapists.

What causes the flu?

Flu is caused by influenza viruses that infect the windpipe and lungs. And because it’s caused by viruses and not bacteria, antibiotics won’t treat it. However, if there are complications from getting flu, antibiotics may be needed.

How do you catch the flu?

When an infected person coughs or sneezes, they spread the flu virus in tiny droplets of saliva over a wide area. These droplets can then be breathed in by other people or they can be picked up by touching surfaces where the droplets have landed. You can prevent the spread of the virus by covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and you can wash your hands frequently or use hand gels to reduce the risk of picking up the virus. But the best way to avoid catching and spreading flu is by having the vaccination before the flu season starts.

How do we protect against flu?

Flu is unpredictable. The vaccine provides the best protection available against a virus that can cause severe illness. The most likely viruses that will cause flu are identified in advance of the flu season and vaccines are then made to match them as closely as possible.

The vaccines are given in the autumn ideally before flu starts circulating. During the last ten years, the vaccine has generally been a good match for the circulating strains.

What harm can flu do?

People sometimes think a bad cold is flu, but having flu can often be much worse than a cold and you may need to stay in bed for a few days.

Some people are more susceptible to the effects of flu. For them, it can increase the risk of developing more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia, or can make existing conditions worse. In the worst cases, flu can result in a stay in hospital, or even death.

Am I at increased risk from effects of flu?

Flu can affect anyone but if you have a long-term health condition the effects of flu can make it worse even if the condition is well managed and you normally feel well. You should have the free flu vaccine if you are:

* pregnant or have a long term condition such as:

* a heart problem

* a chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or severe asthma

* a kidney disease

* lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)

* liver disease

* had a stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

* diabetes

* a neurological condition, eg multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral palsy or learning disability

* a problem with your spleen, eg sickle cell disease, or you have had your spleen removed

* are seriously overweight (BMI of 40 and above)

This list of conditions isn’t definitive. It’s always an issue of clinical judgement. Your GP can assess you to take into account the risk of flu making any underlying illness you may have worse, as well as your risk of serious illness from flu itself.

What is in the vaccine?

This year’s under 65 years old staff group flu vaccine is egg free and gelatine-free

Cell-based Trivalent Influenza Vaccine

The over 65 years old vaccine is gelatine, but not egg free

Adjuvanted Trivalent Influenza Vaccine

Flu myth busting

MYTH: Healthy people don’t get flu.

TRUTH: The reason we offer staff the flu jab is because anyone can pick up the flu virus. 20% of the population catches flu each year and working in a hospital increases your chances to one in four people, even if you are healthy. Plus if you do catch flu, you can pass it on to vulnerable and immuno-suppressed patients who are at more risk of serious illness, not to mention your colleagues and family.

MYTH: Flu is a mild illness, so I don’t need to be vaccinated.

TRUTH: The majority of people who catch flu each year have a miserable few weeks, however for some it is much more serious, flu can kill. Globally seasonal flu virus causes between 250,000 and 500,000 deaths each year. In the UK, last winter flu cases and deaths were lower than usual, however this year, with the lifting of COVID-19 restriction, we are expecting cases to rise again.

MYTH: The side effects of the vaccination are really bad – it can give you the flu!

TRUTH: There is a slim chance you may experience minor cold-like symptoms or experience a slight soreness around the site of the injection – all of which can be relieved by taking painkillers or cold medication. It’s impossible to get a flu infection from a vaccination because the injectable vaccine doesn’t contain any live viruses.

If anything, the vaccination may make your illness milder if you do get sick later on. However, if you get sick with any flu-like illness immediately after flu vaccine, it is likely to be one of the other viruses like rhinovirus, RSV, parainfluenza viruses, human metapneumovirus or COVID-19!

MYTH: I’ve had the flu jab before, so I don’t need it again

TRUTH: You should be vaccinated against flu each year because new vaccines are released every year to keep up with rapidly adapting viruses. Because these viruses evolve so quickly, last year’s vaccine may not protect you from this year’s flu.

After vaccination, your immune system produces antibodies to protect you from illness, but these start to decline over time, so this is another reason to get a flu vaccination each year.

MYTH: The flu jab isn’t safe and it hasn’t been properly tested.

TRUTH: The flu vaccine is one of the safest in the world and is given to millions of people each year. The strains of flu that are included may change but this does not affect the safety of the vaccine which is thoroughly tested.

The risk of having a serious reaction to the vaccine is less than one in a million – a much lower risk than the likelihood of becoming seriously ill from having the flu. The only people who should not have the vaccine are those who have had a severe allergic reaction to one of the ingredients in the vaccine in the past.

MYTH: I’ve heard the vaccine doesn’t work.

TRUTH: The flu vaccine is reviewed every year by the World Health Organisation and throughout the last ten years the vaccine has generally offered good protection of between 50-70%. A quadrivalent vaccine, with action against four different types of seasonal flu virus has been developed and approved for use by the WHO and Public Health England this year. This is the vaccine we use at the Trust.

MYTH: Lots of my colleagues have already had flu jab, why should I?

TRUTH: As individuals with professional duties and as a Trust dedicated to excellence in healthcare, we must do all we can to protect ourselves from flu, prevent flu transmission to patients and create a safe hospital environment. High vaccine uptake will create good immunity amongst King’s staff and a safe environment for our patients.

We each have a role to play in this and if you have not yet been vaccinated, now is the time.

MYTH: Does the flu jab protect against COVID-19?

TRUTH: No. The flu and the COVID-19 viruses do both impact the respiratory system but they are separate viruses that require different vaccinations. Vaccinating to protect against influenza can have a great benefit to your overall health including you immune system though.

MYTH: I’ve heard that having the flu vaccine makes you more susceptible to COVID 19 – is this true?

TRUTH: There is no evidence to support this at all.  It’s still important to have your flu vaccine to protect your respiratory system.

MYTH: I am pregnant and I’ve heard I shouldn’t get the flu vaccine?

TRUTH: Pregnancy alters how the body handles infection such as flu. Flu infection increases the chances that pregnant women and babies may need intensive care treatment following birth. A flu vaccine can be given at any stages of pregnancy and is recommended by midwives and obstetricians.

MYTH: Flu vaccines are only for the very young or the very old.

TRUTH: While complications from the flu are most dangerous for the very young and elderly population, the flu can hit strong and healthy individuals too.

MYTH: Antibiotics will fight the flu, so I don’t need the vaccine.

TRUTH: No they won’t – flu is caused by viruses and not bacteria and so cannot be treated with antibiotics.

MYTH: Flu and COVID-19 vaccines contain ingredients that will alter my DNA.

TRUTH: No it does not. There are several types of injected vaccines. You will be offered a vaccine that’s most effective for you. For example, in adults aged 18-64, there are different types with low egg and egg free vaccines. Adults aged 65 and over will be offered the most common vaccines which will make a stronger response to the vaccine.

MYTH: I have had the COVID-19 vaccine so it should protect me against the flu as well.

TRUTH: No, the COVID-19 Vaccine will not protect you against the flu. You should arrange to have your Flu vaccine as soon as possible.

MYTH: I have heard that the flu vaccine is not safe for BAME Communities.

TRUTH: There has been a significant amount of scientific research on the trials of the flu and COVID-19 vaccine. There is no evidence that the flu or COVID vaccine works differently in different ethnic groups. You will be offered a vaccine that is most effective for you.

MYTH: If I experience side effects to my Flu vaccine and I feel unwell, I will be expected remain at work.

TRUTH: No, if you do experience side effects and you do feel unwell following you Flu vaccine, we encourage you to stay at home until you feel better. Side effects are likely to last around 2-3 days if they do occur. If they continue for longer you need to let your manager know and speak with your GP.

MYTH: I have been told that I have to have my flu or COVID-19 vaccine when I am not on shift.

TRUTH: No – we encourage all staff to have their vaccines at a time and date convenient for them. All staff are expected to be released at an appropriate time during their shift to be able to get the vaccine.

As last year, a COVID-19 vaccine will not be offered within the Trust but staff are encouraged to get this from local pharmacies.