Vulnerable at risk as flu jab uptake falls on last year
MILLIONS are at risk of killer flu this winter amid a dip in vaccination rates, health chiefs warn.
Public Health England said the number of over65s, under-65s with underlying medical conditions and pregnant women having jabs has fallen.
It comes after concerns over the way the vaccine was distributed this year.
NHS GP Dr Ian Campbell said: “I’ve seen first hand what damage flu does to my patients - it causes serious complications and can kill. I urge everyone eligible for the flu injection to take up the offer as soon as possible.”
PHE statistics for the last week of November show flu vaccine uptake for over-65s was 65.4%, down from 69.1% last year.
For pregnant women it was 40.8%, down from 43.1%. And for under-65s deemed high-risk it was down from 43.5% to 40.7%.
Meanwhile, hospitals are reopening mothballed wards in a bid to stave off another winter crisis.
The move follows evidence that A&E wards in some areas are strained to breaking point and already a third busier than at this time last year.