Engagement projects

Free Flu and Covid Vaccinations for over 50

Over 50? Book your Free Flu and Covid Vaccinations Today

People aged 50 and over are now able to book their autumn booster and flu vaccines, as the NHS Covid-19 and flu programmes continue to protect the country ahead of winter.

Chief Medical Advisor at the UK Health Security Agency Dr Susan Hopkins said: “The double threat of widely circulating flu and Covid-19 this year is a real concern, so it is crucial that you take up the free flu vaccine as soon as possible if you are offered it. It will help protect you from severe flu this winter, and even save your life.

“All those over 50 are now eligible for the jab, many of which will have low natural immunity due to Covid-19 restrictions over the last two years”.

Booking a Flu Vaccination

Those who are eligible for the NHS free flu jab can be vaccinated at their Community Pharmacy or GP Surgery.

If you are eligible, you may have received a letter from your GP about getting your flu jab, you should follow the instructions outlined on that letter.

If you have not heard from your GP surgery regarding your flu jab and you are eligible for a free flu jab, then please book at your local pharmacy. You can find your local pharmacy and their contact details using the NHS website – Find a pharmacy that offers the NHS flu vaccine and give them a call to find out how to get your vaccine.

You can find more information on eligibility at Flu vaccine – NHS and Flu vaccination: who should have it this winter and why – GOV.UK

Booking a Covid-19 Autumn Booster

Appointments can be made by phoning 119 or booking online through the National Booking Service.

Public Health and Mental Health Minister Dr Caroline Johnson said: “It is really encouraging that millions of people have already come forward for their flu and Covid booster vaccines, increasing their immunity ahead of winter when viruses circulate more easily.

“Those eligible can now easily book a free flu and autumn booster vaccine online through the National Booking Service. Please come forward to give yourself and your loved one’s vital protection over the coming months.”

Reminder for People Working or Living with Individuals on the Learning Disability (LD) Register

All those working or living with individuals who are listed on the LD register, as well as frontline health and social care workers and paid and unpaid carers have a right to access the Covid-19 Autumn booster vaccination as a priority group.

Everyone on the doctors learning disability register will be invited to have their coronavirus vaccination if they have not already had it. NHS England – Improving health

Appointments can be made by phoning 119 or booking online through the National Booking Service. The vaccine is free to those eligible and it is easy to book by selecting “Yes, I am a frontline social care worker”. Those eligible just need to self-declare when booking their appointment and will not be required to bring along evidence to the appointment.

All eligible people are strongly encouraged to accept the vaccination that is offered as soon as they are able – it is important to be up to date with the booster and build up protection against severe illness before the winter.

People are also encouraged to get their flu jab and in some cases, these may be offered at the same time as the Covid vaccination.

Please communicate this to parents or carers who may wish to take advantage of this offer.

COVID-19 Survey Results

As we progress through the pandemic, it is important to understand the public perceptions of COVID-19 protective behaviours which help reduce transmission of the virus. This survey, by Somerset Council, aimed to explore the public perceptions, attitudes, and motivations of four such behaviours. The results of this survey will be used to inform a Somerset Council communications campaign, which targets the execution of these protective behaviours across the districts of Somerset.

This survey had two aims:

Explore participants’ perceptions, attitudes, and motivations towards four protective COVID-19 behaviours
Understand participants’ perceptions of a behaviourally targeted communications campaign advert prototype

Read more about the Covid-19 Survey Results

Covid-19 Booster Vaccine in over 70's age group

In October 2021 Somerset’s Public Health and health colleagues sought to increase uptake of the COVID-19 Booster Vaccination amongst the over 70’s age group. There may be several barriers and facilitators to getting the booster vaccine. This could include confusion over when individuals are eligible to book their appointment, access to vaccination sites, or attitudes towards the booster vaccine.

A consultation was therefore conducted to understand more about potential barriers this group may be facing to take up the offer of the booster vaccine.

Read more about the Booster Vaccine Consultation Report

Feedback on Covid-19 community response

Addressing issues and barriers consultation

This consultation was developed specifically for members of the Advisory Network to respond on behalf of the groups and communities they represent. Responses really helped us to address the issues and barriers that exist within our communities, helping us to shape communication and intervention activity accordingly.

You can read the report here: Covid-19 Community Response Survey

Engagement with Black Asian Ethnic Minority communities

Working through the Advisory Network, with Somerset Diverse Communities and the NHS, we reached out to our ethnic minority communities to establish common questions and concerns around the coronavirus vaccine. We then worked with GPs to film some short films addressing these concerns and issues. We also had the full list of questions and answers translated into 20 languages.

You can find the films on this playlist: Covid-19 vaccination for Black, Asian, Ethnic Minority groups – Your questions answered

Vaccinations for people experiencing homelessness

Vaccination A4 Flyer for support and outreach workers and those working with people experiencing homelessness

Reflect, Recover, Renew Report

Reflect, Recover, Renew: Creating a Shared Vision for Somerset’s VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) Report

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented change to people and communities worldwide, and Somerset is no exception. What is marked, however is the way in which Somerset’s voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) stepped up to the challenge. As many other services closed their doors, VCSE sector organisations mobilised to provide practical, emotional, and social support across Somerset.

Funded by Somerset Council and Somerset Community Foundation, and delivered by Spark Somerset, Reflect, Recover, Renew investigates the impact of Covid-19 and creates a shared vision for the future of the VCSE sector in Somerset. In all, 270 people representing 190 separate VCSEs across Somerset shared their experiences.

Two years on, Reflect, Recover, Renew aims to identify the implications of Covid-19 on Somerset’s communities and VCSEs which could help us understand current and future needs.

We hope the report will be a useful tool for charity leaders, community groups, stakeholders, statutory partners, and anyone involved in supporting our communities.

Construction Workers Toolkit

Whether they are employed or self-employed, construction workers often have to live with higher than average levels of anxiety. And due to stigmas that have developed within the industry, it has also become common for workers not to speak to their families, friends or colleagues. The toolkit highlights the little things we can all do to build our mental wellbeing and how they can make a big difference; helping us to lead happier, healthier lives and cope with life’s challenges. The resources can be found on the Campaign Resource Centre and can be used from now in local engagement with this target audience.

Construction Workers Toolkit Resources

Booster jab information in other languages

You can find this Vaccination booster jab information in different languages below.

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