VANESSA’S LESSON ON WHY YOU MUST GET YOUR FLU JAB

IF YOU haven’t had a flu jab yet, you might feel compelled to after hearing what I heard last week.

Broadcaster Vanessa Feltz revealed that her daughter – perfectly healthy and aged just 36 – had been hospitalised with flu. Vanessa told her Instagram followers that her eldest – chef and mother of-two Allegra – had been ‘vomiting and vomiting’, before she was eventually admitted as an emergency case and hooked up to a drip. Thankfully, within a day she seemed to have turned a corner and was on the mend.

Allegra had in fact had her flu jab, but the doctors were clear that had she gone without it, she may not have recovered so quickly. It is a stark reminder of the severity of this common infection – and it’s not just elderly, sick people who are at risk.

All over-50s are eligible for a free jab this year, but if you are younger and have access to one via a work scheme or have spare funds to pay for it privately, I’d recommend it. Flu season looks to be especially bad this year, so don’t take the risk. Get yourself protected.