Don’t miss out on flu jab warn health chiefs

NHS Beds and NHS Luton say that poor uptake for this year’s jab is putting lives at risk with a warning in place that there could be a surge in cases.

Each winter, between October and January, the free flu jab is offered to people in ‘at risk’ groups, which includes everyone aged 65 and over, children and adults under 65 with certain medical conditions and all pregnant women.

But, while the majority of older people in Bedfordshire and Luton have now received their flu vaccine, less than half of people under 65 and only 27 per cent of pregnant women have been vaccinated.

People now have just two weeks left to get vaccinated, as GP surgeries are due to stop running their flu clinics at the end of January.

Muriel Scott, NHS Bedfordshire Director of Public Health, said: “We are really concerned that this poor uptake of the vaccine could put many people’s lives at risk.

“For most people flu is just a nasty experience, but for some it can lead to more serious illnesses resulting in a spell in hospital and even death.”