A new evidence briefing from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria explores how to reverse the decline in flu vaccination uptake among NHS staff.

In the 2024-2025 season, only 37.5% of NHS trust staff and 51.5% of GP practice staff received the flu vaccine – down significantly from the previous year. This drop poses risks to both staff and patients, especially during winter when service demand peaks.

The briefing identifies three key barriers to uptake:

• Confidence: Concerns about side effects, misinformation, and lack of knowledge.
• Motivation: Influenced by trust in leadership and organisational culture.
• Access: Limited availability and inconvenient scheduling.

To address these, the report recommends a combined approach:

• Educational materials to boost confidence.
• Leadership-led promotion and peer support to increase motivation.
• Flexible, on-site vaccination options to improve access.

Practical suggestions include vaccine ambassadors, pop-up clinics, paid time off, and data-driven targeting of low-uptake areas.

This work was developed as part of a Knowledge Mobilisation sprint by ARC NENC in collaboration with the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board, supporting winter pressure planning across the region.

Read the full briefing…

• Clinical Topic
• Research