Protect Yourself This Winter: Vaccination Guidance for Care Providers 2026/27

As winter approaches, Norfolk County Council Public Health is encouraging adult social care providers, staff and people receiving care to check their eligibility for NHS vaccinations against flu, COVID-19, RSV and other preventable illnesses.

Respiratory viruses can pose serious risks to vulnerable individuals, particularly older adults and those with weakened immune systems. Last winter, flu was associated with an estimated 3,800 excess deaths in England, while vaccination helped prevent approximately 104,000 hospital admissions and 7,100 deaths.

Who may be eligible?

Depending on the vaccination, eligible groups include:

• Adults aged 75 and over
• Residents of care homes for older adults
• People with weakened immune systems or certain long-term health conditions
• Pregnant women
• Frontline social care workers (flu vaccination)
• Adults aged 65 and over (pneumococcal vaccination)

Eligibility varies by vaccine, so individuals are encouraged to check the latest NHS guidance.

Supporting people receiving care at home

Norfolk Public Health is placing particular emphasis on improving vaccination uptake among people receiving domiciliary care.

Home care providers are encouraged to share vaccination information with staff and the people they support, helping eligible individuals understand how to access appointments.

Where individuals need assistance attending vaccination appointments, arrangements should take account of transport availability, staff responsibilities and insurance requirements.

Winter preparedness guidance for care providers

Norfolk County Council and NHS Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board have also published their Prevention and Winter Preparedness – Care Providers Bulletin 2026/27.

The bulletin includes guidance on:

• Winter vaccination eligibility and access
• Infection prevention and control
• Capacity Tracker reporting requirements
• Identifying and reporting respiratory infection outbreaks
• Additional vaccinations, including RSV, shingles and pneumococcal

Access vaccination information and booking services

• Book an NHS flu vaccination
• Book an NHS COVID-19 vaccination
• RSV vaccination information
• Pneumococcal vaccination information

Providers are encouraged to share this information with their teams and the people they support to help improve vaccination uptake and reduce winter pressures on health and care services.

Prevention and Winter Preparedness – Care Provider bulletin 2026 – 2027 final