Nursing students advised to have flu vaccine

Published: 01 November 2011

The RCN is advising nursing students to take up this year’s flu vaccine to help protect them and their families, patients and colleagues while they're on placement this winter.

Each year a seasonal vaccine is developed to provide recipients with protection against the strains of flu most likely to affect the UK. Having the vaccine means nursing students are less likely to develop or carry flu over the winter, helping them to maintain better general health and continue with their studies.

If frontline health care staff are vaccinated, they are less likely to pass flu to patients – who are particularly vulnerable to becoming seriously ill if they catch the virus.

The RCN is also asking health care employers and universities to make it easy for students to receive the vaccine – for example, having flexible sessions for those who are working unsocial hours or in the community.

The vaccine should be free to nursing students and the RCN would like you to get in touch if this is not the case, or you're having difficulty getting the vaccine. Email gill.robertson@rcn.org.uk or share your story at students@rcn.org.uk.

In England, NHS Employers has launched the first national seasonal flu vaccination campaign, designed to encourage increased uptake of the vaccine by frontline staff and a culture where it is routine behaviour to have the vaccine.