People urged to get flu jab after uptake drop

The UK Health Security Agency says figures for people across all eligibility groups were low last year

People have been urged to take up the flu vaccine after rates dropped last winter in the South West compared to the previous year.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said figures for people across all eligibility groups were low for 2023.

It comes as data shows over the past two winters combined there were at least 18,000 deaths associated with flu.

Dr Kheelna Bavalia, South West medical director, said vaccines were "our best defence" against flu and coronavirus, and urged anyone eligible to book their jab.

'Best defence'

Last year saw a sudden increase in the number of people having to be hospitalised, due to a flu peak in the week leading up to Christmas and then again at the end of January, the UKHSA said.

The jab is available to everyone aged 65 and older, people under 65 with certain medical conditions, children and babies over six months of age and all pregnant women.

Pregnant women and older people aged 75 to79 are also eligible for a RSV vaccination, which protects against respiratory syncytial virus, for the first time this year.

Professor Dominic Mellon, deputy regional director of health protection at UKHSA South West said flu can "tragically kill thousands of people every year".

He said: "Getting vaccinated ahead of winter is by far your best defence.

“If you’re pregnant or have certain long-term health conditions you are at greater risk of getting seriously ill. Older people and young infants with flu are also much more likely to get hospitalised."

The figures for the South West cover the Isles of Scilly to Swindon.