Further progress seen in take-up of flu vaccine

Public Health England has called for more people to receive the flu vaccine following the publication of the latest monthly uptake figures.

Compared to the same period last year, there has been a 4.2 percent increase in vaccination amongst pregnant women, a 2.2 percent rise in over-65s and a 1.8 percent increase for people under 65 who are classified as being at risk.

Moreover, 17.3 percent of two-year-olds have received the flu vaccine, while the uptake rates for three-year-olds and four-year-olds currently stand at 18.7 percent and 14.1 percent respectively.

Last winter, Public Health England received reports of 904 people admitted to intensive care or high-dependency units with laboratory confirmed flu, with 98 deaths coming as a result. It is hoped that this figure can be reduced this year.

Dr Richard Pebody, head of seasonal flu surveillance at Public Health England, said: "It's not too late to get vaccinated, and we urge anyone who is eligible but hasn't yet received their free flu vaccination to contact their GP."

The government is also seeking to increase vaccination rates among healthcare workers in order to further limit the spread of seasonal flu across the country.