Usdaw calls for free flu jabs for retail staff amid rising cases

Retail trade union Usdaw has called for shop workers to be offered free flu vaccinations, warning that rising cases risk disrupting an essential sector in the run-up to Christmas.

The union said retail staff should be included in the government’s vaccination programme, which has already delivered more than 17 million flu jabs, and urged employers to ensure workers are given time to be vaccinated.

Usdaw general secretary Joanne Thomas stated that retail employees were at particular risk because of the volume of daily contact with customers, especially during the busy festive period. 

According to Thomas, hospital admissions for flu had risen sharply in recent days, with many more people falling ill.

Usdaw warned that a significant rise in sickness absence in the retail food sector could have serious consequences for communities, particularly if flu cases continue to increase over the winter.

Thomas said: “Retail staff deal with hundreds if not thousands of shoppers every day, particularly in the busy run to Christmas, they need to be protected from flu and help ensure they don’t pass on the virus to colleagues and the public. With hospital admissions for flu up by 55% last week and many more falling ill, it is clear there is a tidal wave of the virus ripping through our communities.

“Grocery retail is an essential service that helps keep the nation fed and healthy. As was highlighted in the pandemic, retail workers are key workers and efforts should be made to protect them and help to keep staff in work.”