Vaughan Gething AM, Minister for Health and Social Services, Julie Morgan AM, Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The social care sector has a crucial role to play in preventing hospital admissions over the winter period, particularly for older people.
We know that the vaccination of staff can be effective in reducing the spread of diseases and patient mortality in care settings. It can also help to ensure business continuity by reducing flu related staff illness. That is why it is not only vitally important that people more at risk of developing complications from flu receive the vaccine, but that those working with and alongside them are also protected.
Last year, we announced that we would offer the flu vaccination to staff working in adult residential care and nursing homes.
We are pleased to confirm that this year we are extending this offer of the free flu vaccine to workers who provide domiciliary care. This vaccination will be offered through community pharmacies and will be offered at no cost to domiciliary care workers or their employers.
We will shortly be writing to the local health boards, local authorities and domiciliary care providers to raise awareness of the availability and importance of the vaccine for these workers and how it can be accessed.
This will help ensure continuity of care through this challenging winter season and ensure that the dedicated staff working in the sector, along with the people they provide care to, will be properly protected and prepared for winter.