RCN’s Beat the Flu campaign warns of double jeopardy with COVID-19 this winter

RCN campaign urges nursing students and healthcare staff to get the flu vaccination as early as they can to help protect themselves and others

The RCN has highlighted the double impact COVID-19 and flu infections could have this winter in launching its annual #BeatTheFlu campaign.

The campaign is encouraging as many nursing students and healthcare staff as possible to have the flu vaccination as early as they can to protect themselves and others.

Support for staff administering the flu vaccine

RCN professional lead for public health Helen Donovan said: ‘It’s vital that as many nursing staff as possible take the flu vaccine as early as possible, to help protect themselves and those around them, including their families and patients.’

The campaign also aims to support staff administering the vaccine to eligible members of the population as well as encouraging activities to help people stay healthy, including physical activity and eating well, this winter.

• RELATED: Flu jab ‘vital’ for nurses as COVID-19 continues, says England’s chief nursing officer

Ms Donovan said that with the double threat of flu and COVID-19, this message was more important than ever.

If flu vaccine is easy to access, uptake goes up exponentially

‘Organisations must make the vaccine readily available, with easy access to it during the working day. They shouldn’t expect staff or students to have to travel significant distances or take time out of work. We know that if organisations make the vaccine easy to access, uptake goes up exponentially.

• RELATED: Flu jabs for nurses: one in three did not have vaccine

‘Our message to RCN members is simple: as well as heeding the messages of this campaign, please support it, both at work or university, and using social media,’ she said.

‘Together we can make a real difference that will save lives and protect ourselves and our families as a very difficult winter approaches.’

Find out more

RCN #BeatTheFlu campaign

In other news

• RCN launches phone app for students and newly qualified nurses
• Long-COVID: nurses struggling to recover from coronavirus need support of employers