Get Ready for Flu Season: The Importance of Training and What You Need to Know 

Navigating the 2025 Flu Season: Insights, Preparedness, and Primary Care

Introduction

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection that continues to adapt and evolve. Each year, scientists monitor shifting viral patterns to forecast the dominant strains and inform vaccine development. The 2025 flu season is anticipated to be shaped by novel variants, changes in vaccination strategies, and heightened public sensitivity after recent global health events.

 

What’s New in 2025?
While the core nature of influenza remains unchanged, the 2025 season is marked by several notable trends:

  • Strain Surveillance: Global health agencies have identified emerging influenza A and B strains, prompting updates to vaccine composition. This year’s vaccine reflects these changes and is expected to offer broader protection.
  • Vaccine Technology: Advancements in mRNA and protein-based vaccines have accelerated production and improved the precision of immune response targeting. Many clinics now offer both traditional and next-generation flu shots.
  • Public Health Policy: Policies surrounding vaccination, mask-wearing, and sick leave have evolved to be more adaptive, reflecting recent lessons learned from COVID-19 and other respiratory outbreaks.

Understanding Influenza: Symptoms, Transmission, and Risks
The flu virus is highly contagious, spreading from person to person via respiratory droplets. Common symptoms include:


•    High fever and chills
•    Cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion
•    Muscle aches and fatigue
•    Headache
•    In some cases, gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and diarrhea


Most people recover within one to two weeks, but certain populations—such as young children, older adults, pregnant individuals, and those with chronic health conditions—are at higher risk for complications.

How the Flu Spreads
Transmission occurs primarily through airborne droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. The virus can also linger on surfaces, leading to indirect spread via hands touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.


Complications and Vulnerable Groups
Severe flu can lead to pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis, and exacerbation of chronic diseases. Hospitalization rates tend to rise among vulnerable populations, reinforcing the importance of preventive measures.

Strategies for a Healthier Season
Preparation and vigilance are key to managing the 2025 flu season. The following strategies have proven effective:

  • Vaccination: Annual vaccination remains the most effective defense against influenza*. The 2025 vaccine is widely available at pharmacies, clinics, and community centers, with many offering walk-in appointments and mobile outreach for underserved areas.
  • Hand Hygiene: Regular handwashing with soap and water, or using hand sanitizers, reduces the risk of viral transmission. Encourage children and household members to make hand hygiene a daily habit.
  • Respiratory Etiquette: Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and use tissues or the crook of your elbow. Dispose of tissues promptly and wash your hands afterwards.

*Flu vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to reduce illness, hospital admissions, and fatalities linked to influenza. As we approach another demanding winter, proper training for healthcare professionals is not just recommended—it's essential for protecting both patients and the wider community.

 

Why Is Flu Vaccine Training So Important?

High-quality, up-to-date training for flu vaccination is vital for a number of reasons:

  • Patient Safety: Proper training ensures vaccines are given safely and correctly. This includes storage, handling, and administration—all crucial for preventing errors and keeping patients safe.
  • Efficiency and Effectiveness: With new vaccine formulations each year, training keeps practitioners current, ensuring optimal vaccine delivery and maximum protection.
  • Patient Education: Trained professionals are empowered to educate the public, dispel myths, and encourage higher uptake of vaccinations.
  • Adverse Event Management: Even though side effects are rare, training prepares you to quickly recognise and manage any complications that may arise.
  • Evidence of Competence and CPD: Training often includes assessment and can be used in your professional portfolio, demonstrating adherence to national standards and ongoing development.

Who Should Deliver and Attend Immunisation Training?
All registered healthcare practitioners or support workers administering vaccines must undergo training according to national standards. This is also recommended for anyone giving immunisation advice, including non-clinical staff, to ensure up-to-date and consistent messaging.
Training should be delivered by experienced providers and can be accessed locally or from specialist organisations, as long as it meets core standards.
 

Understanding National Minimum Standards for Immunisation Training
Healthcare practitioners of all backgrounds now give immunisations in a variety of settings. The “National Minimum Standards and Core Curriculum for Immunisation Training for Registered Healthcare Practitioners” provides a benchmark for essential knowledge and skills. It acts as a checklist for training providers to ensure courses are thorough and compliant.

Training Requirements at a Glance

Anyone who gives advice on or administers immunisations must:

  • Complete foundation training in immunisation.
  • Be assessed as competent by an experienced, up-to-date                                                                                         registered practitioner.
  • Only administer or advise on vaccines if they are confident of                                                                                    their competence.

 

What Should Foundation Training Include?

For those new to immunisation, foundation courses should cover:

  • The purpose of immunisation and national policies
  • The immune response and how vaccines work
  • Vaccine-preventable diseases (with current flu product information)
  • Types of vaccines, their composition, indications, and contraindications
  • Current immunisation issues
  • Patient communication
  • Legal requirements
  • Storage and handling of vaccines
  • Administration techniques
  • Managing anaphylaxis and adverse reactions
  • Record keeping and reporting
  • Strategies to boost uptake

The recommended minimum for foundation training is two days for a taught course or ten hours of e-learning. The content and duration may be tailored for those administering only certain vaccines.

 

Update Training: Staying Current

All immunising practitioners should complete at least annual update training, with more frequent sessions if significant programme changes occur. Annual updates (minimum half day) should cover:

  • Current immunisation issues
  • Recent disease trends
  • Changes to vaccine recommendations or policies
  • Ordering, storage, and administration updates
  • Relevant legislative changes
  • Review of practice and incidents
  • Q&A for common issues in practice

Flu vaccine updates should specifically include information on:

  • Risk groups for the season
  • Flu vaccines available and recommendations per group
  • New advice for the season
  • Ways to maximise coverage and ensure safe delivery

For Experienced Immunisers: Beyond the Annual Update
Even seasoned practitioners must continually reflect on their skills, identify gaps, and seek further updates as needed. 

 

The UKHSA recommends using the Flu Vaccinator Competency Assessment Tool for self-assessment, along with targeted updates on:


•    Recommended risk groups
•    Current vaccines and group-specific recommendations
•    New advice for the season
•    Maximising vaccine uptake
•    Safe delivery practices

Basic Life Support and Anaphylaxis Training

Specific training in basic life support and anaphylaxis management should be updated annually (or as per employer policy). Practical sessions are especially important for clinical staff, in line with Resus Council UK quality standards.

 

Other Flu Vaccine Training Requirements

Local requirements may include safeguarding, infection control, or sharps disposal training, depending on your setting and previous training history.

Continuous learning is essential.  Employers should ensure access to e-learning, up-to-date guidance, and protected time for study. Keeping current is not just a box-ticking exercise but an ongoing responsibility throughout flu season. Key resources include:


•    The Green Book: Influenza (Chapter 19)
•    Annual flu letters from DHSC, NHS England, and UKHSA
•    UKHSA Guidance and Vaccine Updates

Plan Ahead for Flu Season
Whether you’re arranging training for your team or for yourself, early preparation is key. Consider scheduling around holidays, team availability, and the specific requirements of your clinic or organisation. Workshops covering BLS, anaphylaxis, and vaccination skills can help ensure everyone is ready and competent.


For more details on flu training options, courses, and updates for 2025/26, visit our website.

Why not reflect on your learning from this article as part of your Continuing Professional Development (CPD). 

Want to know more?  Join us on one of our courses BOOK HERE  

For further information about our courses please contact us

Dovetail Team

We need your consent to load the translations

We use a third-party service to translate the website content that may collect data about your activity. Please review the details in the privacy policy and accept the service to view the translations.