Free flu jab
Every year, several colleagues and their families suffer from influenza (flu) a common infection, which can lead to severe ill health.
In consideration of the risk of flu and Covid-19 co-circulating this winter, we are encouraging all colleagues to have the flu jab to reduce their risk of getting flu, becoming very unwell and passing flu onto family, friends and colleagues.
Some colleagues will be offered a free NHS vaccination, so it is important to check the NHS website first or contact your GP to clarify who is eligible to accept this offer.
For those colleagues who are not eligible for an NHS vaccination, we are offering the opportunity to have a flu jab paid for by Royal Mail.
You can obtain your free flu jab by presenting a voucher, which will be delivered direct to every employee’s home address this week, along with your Royal Mail ID card, at any branch of Lloyds Pharmacy.
Vouchers can be redeemed from 1 October through to 31 December 2020. We would advise colleagues to have their jab as early as possible before the flu virus becomes widespread in the autumn and winter months across the UK.
Lloyds Pharmacy advise to visit their website to book an appointment and complete an online consultation to confirm you are able to receive a flu jab. Lloyds Pharmacies cannot guarantee an on-the-spot inoculation if you arrive without an appointment, especially as demand for the jab will be high.
This campaign is led by Dr Shaun Davis, global director compliance and sustainability, and fully supported by both the CWU and Unite/CMA who encourage all employees to seriously consider this free health benefit.
The offer is also available to agency workers who have already worked, or are expected to work, for Royal Mail for 12 weeks or more.
If you are displaying symptoms of Covid-19, or you have had a confirmed Covid-19 diagnosis, please do not attend a flu jab appointment until you have recovered and/or completed the required self-isolation period. The same applies to colleagues identified as close contacts of confirmed Covid-19 cases identified by the NHS Test and Trace service.
Because some of the symptoms of flu and Covid-19 are similar, anyone with flu/Covid-19 symptoms should self-isolate for the required period immediately and request a Covid-19 test to help confirm a diagnosis.
This year, more than ever, we need to protect those most at risk from flu, so please consider receiving a free flu jab. Click here for further information and guidance.
