Flu vaccination guidance for personal assistants (PAs)
Updated 18 September 2026
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/flu-immunisation-for-social-care-staff/personal-care-assistants-guidance-for-free-flu-vaccination
This information is for personal assistants (PAs) and employers of PAs. It gives details on the benefits of receiving the free NHS flu vaccine and information about how PAs can access it.
A PA is a professional who assists people with care and support needs with performing day-to-day activities. For example, they may help with household chores, hygiene, mobility support, and in some cases provide personal care. Employment arrangements for PAs differ from those of social care workers or NHS employees, in that they are often directly employed by individuals via direct payments. Some PAs work for more than one employer, and others are employed through agencies or other arrangements.
Flu is a serious virus that can cause severe respiratory illness, and at times can lead to death.
UKHSA data show that the flu vaccine prevented, in England, around 100,000 hospitalisations in the 2025/26 winter season.
We want to ensure that those delivering care and those being cared for are as well-protected from the flu virus as they can be. Having the flu vaccine provides the best protection and helps prevent individuals from getting flu and from spreading it to other people.
Free flu vaccination for Personal Assistants
As a PA, if you do not receive a vaccination from work, you can receive a free flu vaccination from the NHS, from your GP practise, or a participating community pharmacy.
Why you should get a flu vaccination
Having the vaccine will help you to stay well, reduce the chances of needing time away from work, protects the people you care and support for from flu and helps to provide continuity of care for the people who rely on you.
For people in at-risk groups, such as older people or those with an underlying health condition, flu can be a serious disease and can cause death. As a PA, you may well be caring for people in these at-risk groups. Getting the vaccine will mean you are much less likely to catch flu and spread the virus to them, helping to protect them and yourself this winter.
Getting the flu vaccination every year
New flu vaccines are produced every year to protect against the strains most likely to be in circulation, which is why people are advised to be vaccinated every year. Also, the protection from the vaccine you had last year will decrease over time.
Some GP surgeries may ask for proof that you are a Personal Assistant. If you are asked to provide proof of your employment when accessing a free NHS flu vaccination from your GP practice or community pharmacy, some of the things you could use are:
- A letter from your employer
- An ID badge
- A payslip
Safety of the flu vaccination
The flu vaccines used in the national vaccination programme have a good safety record. The vaccines are thoroughly tested before they are made available in England.
You may have a mild fever and aching muscles a few days after having the vaccine and your arm may be sore at the injection site. The flu vaccine cannot give you the flu.
When you should get the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is the best protection we have. The best time to have a flu vaccine is in the autumn, from October to end of November. If you’ve missed this time, you can have the flu vaccine later in the winter, although it’s best to get it earlier before flu starts circulating.
If you have previously had an allergic reaction to the flu vaccine, please speak to your GP or pharmacist.
Information for direct payment holders and self-funders who employ personal assistants (PAs)
Your role
If you employ PAs, make them aware of the availability of the free NHS flu vaccination and how they can access it. You may wish to provide your employed PAs with a letter proving their employment which they can provide, if asked, when presenting for their vaccination.
Cost to you
If you employ a PA as a direct payment holder, via a personal health budget, or as someone who funds your own care and support needs, you are not expected to pay for their vaccines. Your PA will be eligible for a free flu vaccination from the NHS if they have no other occupational health scheme that provides them with one.
See nhs.uk/vaccinations for more information on vaccines and Flu vaccine: who should have it this winter and why? for more information on the seasonal flu programme.