Vulnerable people are being urged to get their free flu vaccination, before the cold weather sets in. 

The Stay Well This Winter campaign, a joint venture between Public Health England and the NHS, launched yesterday in the South West with the national flu vaccination programme now available to all eligible people.

The campaign aims to increase uptake of the flu vaccination and help vulnerable people in South West avoid hospital trips this winter, when the virus is most common.

It launches as the Chief Medical Officer warned flu, and complications associated with it, causes 8,000 deaths on average a year in England. 

Jenny Harries, Deputy Director, Public Health England said: “We know that flu can be very serious especially for the most vulnerable people in the community.”

The flu vaccination is offered to those who are at increased risk from the effects of flu including children aged two to eight, people aged 65 and over, pregnant women and those with long term health conditions.

People with respiratory diseases like COPD, emphysema or asthma are seven times more likely to die if they catch flu, and people with cardiovascular problems like chronic heart disease and people who have had strokes are 11 times more likely die if they catch flu. 

Those with chronic liver disease, are at an extremely high risk as they are 48 times more likely to die if they catch the virus. 

Figures show, last year only 45.8 per cent of two and three-year-olds in Dorset, received the flu vaccine and just 37.5 percent of four-year-olds got the jab. 

Ms Harries said: “Last year’s flu vaccination uptake figures indicate that children aged two to four years could be better protected. It is particularly important for children to get vaccinated to keep them well and to minimise the chance of spread wider in the community.” 

She added children can be easily vaccinated with a nasal spray.

Vaccinating children also helps to protect vulnerable adults, as they are ‘super-spreaders’ of the virus. Last year’s flu vaccination programme reduced the risk of flu in vaccinated children by 65 per cent. 

Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer said: “Flu kills and we could save thousands of lives if everyone eligible got their free jab.

“With more people eligible than ever before and the vaccine available in more locations, people should protect themselves and those around them against this potentially deadly virus. Taking a few minutes to get the jab could save your life this winter.”

To get your vaccine or find out if you are eligible, contact your GP, pharmacist or midwife for more information. 

For more details on how to stay well this winter visit nhs.uk/staywell.