Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department are taking to allow frontline workers such as Teachers, Teaching Assistants and all school workers access to the Free Flu Vaccine Programme.

Eligibility for a free National Health Service flu vaccine is guided, each year, by advice and recommendations from the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). The JCVI keeps all vaccination programmes under review.

The aim of the flu vaccination programme is to protect those most at risk from serious illness and hospitalisation. Those eligible to receive a free flu vaccine on the NHS this autumn and winter are:

• pregnant women;
• all children aged two or three years old;
• children with certain long-term health conditions, aged six months to less than 18 years old;
• primary school aged children, from reception to Year 6;
• secondary school aged children, from Year 7 to Year 11;
• all children in clinical risk groups aged from six months to under 18 years old;
• everyone aged 65 years old and over;
• individuals aged 18 to under 65 years old with certain long-term health conditions;
• care home residents;
• carers in receipt of carer's allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person; and
• those living with people who are immunocompromised.

Individuals, such as teachers, teaching assistants and school workers, who meet these criteria are eligible for a free NHS flu vaccine. Frontline health and social care workers can access the flu vaccine through their employer.

Anyone who is unsure about their eligibility can consult their general practitioner, practice nurse, or pharmacist. Pregnant women can also consult their midwife. The NHS website contains further information on eligibility, and is avaiable at the following link:

https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/flu-vaccine/