Frontline Flu 2020-2021 Vaccination Programme

How to become a Peer Vaccinator

Be a flu hero and help protect your colleagues, patients, family and friends against flu.

We need your help. Once again we’re looking for volunteers to join the cohort of peers we have across the DHSC to ensure all our staff are vaccinated this year.

Who can become a peer vaccinator?

Registered Healthcare professionals that are listed and approved by legislation as able to operate under Patient Group Directions (PGDs). Peers must be able to administer an intramuscular injection and in the rare occasion be able to deal with anaphylaxis.

What do you need to do next?

1. Seek approval from your line manager that you can deliver this role
2. Complete the online Peer Vaccinator Registration Form
3. Complete the following training modules within the Health and Care section of eLearn Vannin:
   • eLfH: Flu Immunisation (FLU 2020-21)
   • Emergency Treatment of Anaphylactic Reactions e-Module
4. Email evidence of completing these modules to frontlineflu@gov.im by 4 September 2020

eLearn Vannin - Government employees
or follow link to NHS Health Education England.

How do I register?

Registration is easy, simply complete the form below and the Public Health Protection Unit will provide you with all relevant information and documentation and answer any queries you may have.

Your role as a Peer Vaccinator

• Peer Vaccinators will be issued with a full information pack
• Identify a suitable venue
• Peers should have permission from the Ward or Department to hold clinics and agree suitable dates and times and seek approval to take on this from their line manager
• Complete the vaccine order form and return at least two weeks before the clinic.
• Must ensure their department/ward fridge has capacity to store the vaccine and have adequate resources.
• Must ensure there is easy access to an adequate supply of adrenaline in case of emergency.
• Peers should promote the offer of flu vaccination in their work area at team meetings, during huddles, handovers, posters (included in pack from Public Health) etc.
• Be able to explain the benefits of the flu vaccine
• Be able to explain the risks of the flu vaccine
• Peers should encourage colleagues to complete their vaccination form when they receive their vaccine (return completed forms to Occupational Health)
• Understand that those over the age of 65 years will need to go to their GP practice to receive their vaccine.

Register to become a Peer Vaccinators Poster 

Who should have the flu vaccine?

It’s recommended that anyone who works in health and social care, and is directly involved in patient care, should have the flu vaccine. This includes, but isn't limited to:

• Anyone who works in a GP practice, pharmacy, dental surgery or hospital
• Workers in paediatric wards, cancer centres and intensive care
• Those working in social care or care homes

General overview

The vaccine takes around 10 days to work and will help protect you from flu during the winter months. You have to get immunised every year because the viruses change constantly and your immunity reduces over time.

The flu vaccine can’t give you flu, but it can stop you catching it.

How effective is the vaccine?

Over the last 10 years, the flu vaccine has generally been a good match for the circulating strains of flu so you can be confident getting vaccinated is the best way to help protect yourself against flu. Even when it's not as well matched, if you catch flu and you've had the vaccine, symptoms may be less severe, and you may be less likely to develop complications.

Is the vaccine safe?

Vaccines have to be thoroughly tested for safety before they're made routinely available.

Each vaccine's safety is continually monitored, even after it's been introduced. This is because not all side effects are picked up during the vaccine's development, especially if they're very rare.

Did you know

• Having your vaccination will remove you as source of infection to patients in your care, their family members or carers in attendance and fellow colleagues who may be in a clinical ‘at risk’ category
• That people are infectious for 2-3 days before showing symptoms
• You can infect another person within a 6ft distance
• You can infect another person simply by breathing (via the water vapour from your breath)
• Ibuprofen, coffee and energy drinks may make you feel well enough to attend work, but you could still be infectious
• Viruses can ‘survive’ on your hands (for example from rubbing your mouth and nose) and be spread by direct contact or indirect contact via door handles and surfaces
• Viruses can be spread by sneezing and coughing. The virus is spread in mucus/saliva spray droplets in the air, by direct contact or onto any surface which then becomes a source of infection for patients and colleagues
• Patients with chronic health conditions, such as respiratory, heart, kidney, liver or neurological conditions. Diabetes, morbid obesity, asplenic or splenic dysfunction. Those who are immunosuppressed due to treatment or conditions, or are pregnant, are all ‘at risk’ from an influenza infection becoming more seriousg. causing viral pneumonia, myocarditis, meningitis, encephalitis or otitis media.

The flu virus can ‘survive’ on your hands (from rubbing your mouth or nose) and can be spread by direct contact or indirect contact via door handles and surfaces?

See: Winter 2020/2021 The Flu Vaccination, Who should have it and why for further details. 

Frontline Flu fortnight will commence on Monday 21 September 2020 

Peer vaccinators - Flu champions
available in your work areas e.g. Wards, District Nurse Bases 

Occupational Health
will visit CAMHS, care homes / residential homes 

Jab-in-the-Hut clinic
open to all Frontline DHSC staff in Noble's Boardroom / Ramsey District Cottage Hospital Outpatient Room 1 as follows: 

Week 1

Week 2

Further details will be displayed in the Staff Restaurant on how to receive the Flu Vaccine or ask your Peer Vaccinator/Flu Champion.

Get your Jab in the Hut now!

Posters

Care Assistant
Care Worker
Community Support Worker
Consultant
Mental Health Nurse
Paramedic
Porter
Staff Nurse 1
Staff Nurse 2
Flu Vaccines 2020 to 2021 Season

Posters with blank section

Care Assistant
Care Worker
Community Support Worker
Consultant
Mental Health Nurse
Paramedic
Porter
Staff Nurse 1
Staff Nurse 2

Email Signature

Care Setting
Hospital and Community Setting

Leaflets

DL Care Leaflet
A5 Care Leaflet
DL Hospital and Community Leaflet
A5 Hospital and Community Leaflet

Hospital and Community Prizes are being offered to the highest peer vaccinator team

Hospital and Jabber in the hut teams

• 1st prize £50
• 2nd prize £25
• 3rd prize £10
• Box of Fresh Fruit for the best performing Ward 

Community teams

• 1st prize £50
• 2nd prize £25
• 3rd prize £10
• Box of Fresh Fruit for the best performing team

Prizes and Awards Poster 

Occupational Health

Jenny May

Peer Vaccinators - To be confirmed

Community Health           

Sue Caley

Peer Vaccinators - To be confirmed

Hospitals                             

Lyz Howard / Margaret Knight

Peer Vaccinators - To be confirmed

Email enquiries: frontlineflu@gov.im