Newham’s ‘most vulnerable’ residents urged to get free flu jab

Vulnerable and pregnant residents are being encouraged to get a free flu jab.

More than 65,000 Newham residents are eligible to get the jab free on the NHS, but last year more than 22,000 of them were not vaccinated.

If you are over 65, pregnant, have a serious illness, care for an older or disabled person or work in the health care profession, you are likely to entitled to claim the free jab.

Hemant Patel, north east London local pharmaceutical committee secretary, said: “Pharmacists are able to provide this service to protect the most vulnerable and most at risk of serious complications or even death from flu.

“I would encourage everyone over 65 and those who are ‘at risk’ to visit their pharmacy or surgery and get vaccinated.”

Last year nearly 50 per cent of pregnant women in the borough did not take up the flu vaccination, despite the fact that pregnant women are at high risk of developing complications from flu leading to severe illness and hospitalisation.

Pharmacist Dushyant Patel said: “People should remember that flu remains a serious threat.”