Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough urges older people to get flu jab

In 2019/20, there were nearly 500,000 episodes of care in hospitals for a diagnosis of influenza and pneumonia among people aged 65 and over in England - nearly 37,000 more than the previous year.

Last winter in Cambridgeshire (73.6 per cent) and Peterborough (70.1 per cent) of people aged 65 and over had the flu vaccination, falling short of the World Health Organization recommended target of 75 per cent.

Age UK said: “This autumn it is particularly important that older people get their free flu jab as early evidence from Public Health England suggests that having coronavirus and flu at the same time is more dangerous than just having coronavirus and may double the chances of dying.”

People aged 65 and over can get their free flu vaccine from a pharmacy or their GP, as can people who care for an older person or someone with a disability, people living with someone advised to shield in the spring, and frontline care workers.

Later this year the Government plans to make people aged 50 and over eligible for a free flu jab too.

Each year flu and pneumonia kill around 26,000 people in the England, with more than nine out of 10 of flu and pneumonia deaths in England being among people aged 65 and older.

Melanie Wicklen, chief officer for Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “Although Covid might feel like the most pressing problem this winter, it’s incredibly important we don’t forget about the dangers of flu.

“Flu can be a serious health hazard for older people, even if you are otherwise fit and well, and it’s the last thing anyone needs this of all years. We also now know that getting both Covid and flu simultaneously poses an even greater risk to someone’s health.

“It’s vital everyone eligible gets their free flu jab to protect themselves and the people around them.”