More than 60,000 vulnerable people in Shropshire do not claim free flu jab

England’s top doctors, and those in Shropshire, are urging people to protect themselves and their families from flu amid warnings that new cases may peak over the busy Christmas period.

NHS England data shows that 111,459 people were eligible for free flu vaccines in the Shropshire Council area last winter, and 59,714 in Telford & Wrekin. In Shropshire only 65 per cent of them had a jab, and in Telford it was even lower at 60 per cent.

The low rate meant 39,494 vulnerable people in Shropshire, and 24,052 in Telford & Wrekin were left unprotected through the key winter months.

While the flu virus can be unpleasant for anyone, if sufferers are otherwise healthy it usually clears up without treatment within a week.

However, for certain groups of people, such as the elderly, the very young, pregnant women and people with other health conditions, it can be serious and even cause death.

The NHS offers free flu vaccines to all these groups due to their increased vulnerability.

The figures show that toddlers were much less likely to have had the jab than their older neighbours in Shropshire, with parents taking only 54 per cent of two year olds and 57 per cent of children aged three for the vaccinations. In Telford it was 43 per cent and 51 per cent respectively.

The uptake rate among Shropshire's senior residents was better – but at 73 per cent, around 19,000 over 65s still went without.

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For Telford it was 72 per cent, with around 8,500 pensioners not claiming the jab.

Just 55 per cent of pregnant women received the vaccine, and 50 per cent of under 65s with health conditions which put them at heightened risk. In Telford it was 53 per cent and 47 per cent.

As flu levels ramp up this year, Public Health England has introduced its Catch It, Bin It, Kill It campaign, to help prevent the spread of the highly infectious disease during Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year celebrations.

It says hundreds of thousands could see their holiday plans turned to misery if flu levels rise as expected in late December and early January.

Professor Stephen Powis, the NHS's national medical director, said: “Whether it’s missing out on your Christmas dinner, the Boxing Day match or a New Year’s party, nobody wants to be laid low by flu while the festivities are in full swing.

“It’s good to see that more people over the age of 65 have already got their jab. For older people and those with underlying health conditions, getting flu is particularly bad news because it can lead to really serious conditions like pneumonia and bronchitis, which can mean a lengthy stay in hospital.

“And we know that children are ‘super spreaders’ of flu, particularly around the holiday season when they’re more likely to see elderly relatives.

“So our message is simple: the flu season is here, get your jab now. It might be the difference between a Christmas to remember, and one to forget.”