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| Number of pensioners taking free flu jab falling | Number of pensioners taking free flu jab falling |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Many potential flu victims have not been vaccinated despite winter approaching, according to new figures. | Many potential flu victims have not been vaccinated despite winter approaching, according to new figures. |
| The number of over 65 year olds who have been vaccinated has fallen since last year, as has the the number of younger "at risk" patients. | The number of over 65 year olds who have been vaccinated has fallen since last year, as has the the number of younger "at risk" patients. |
| As of last week, only 48.9% of over 65s had been given the jab, compared with 54.8% in the same period of 2011. | As of last week, only 48.9% of over 65s had been given the jab, compared with 54.8% in the same period of 2011. |
| Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "As winter approaches, we should all be on our guard against health problems." | Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "As winter approaches, we should all be on our guard against health problems." |
| The Department of Health (DoH) says around 4,700 people die every year in England, after getting flu. | The Department of Health (DoH) says around 4,700 people die every year in England, after getting flu. |
| People in at-risk groups - such as pregnant women - are 11 times more likely to die than someone who is not in an at-risk group. | People in at-risk groups - such as pregnant women - are 11 times more likely to die than someone who is not in an at-risk group. |
| The DoH has therefore launched a campaign to encourage at-risk groups to get vaccinated and a new website, called Winterwatch, will be launched later this month to provide winter-related health data. | The DoH has therefore launched a campaign to encourage at-risk groups to get vaccinated and a new website, called Winterwatch, will be launched later this month to provide winter-related health data. |
| Public Health Minister Anna Soubry said: "We have taken the decision this year to run a flu campaign because too many people in at-risk groups have not come forward for the jab yet, although local campaigns have been running for the past month. | Public Health Minister Anna Soubry said: "We have taken the decision this year to run a flu campaign because too many people in at-risk groups have not come forward for the jab yet, although local campaigns have been running for the past month. |
| '£42m cost' | '£42m cost' |
| "Our campaign aims to encourage people who are most at risk from flu, who have put it off or who don't think it is important, to get the vaccine." | "Our campaign aims to encourage people who are most at risk from flu, who have put it off or who don't think it is important, to get the vaccine." |
| Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "Each year the cold weather is responsible for an increase in deaths and thousands of cases of flu, falls, heart attacks and strokes. | Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "Each year the cold weather is responsible for an increase in deaths and thousands of cases of flu, falls, heart attacks and strokes. |
| "In past years, these extra pressures have cost the NHS £42m in emergency admissions alone. | "In past years, these extra pressures have cost the NHS £42m in emergency admissions alone. |
| "As winter approaches, we should all be on our guard against health problems - by taking simple steps and looking after our older friends and family we can keep warm and well." | "As winter approaches, we should all be on our guard against health problems - by taking simple steps and looking after our older friends and family we can keep warm and well." |
| Flu is generally just means taking time off work for most people but certain at-risk groups are prone to developing potentially fatal complications, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. | Flu is generally just means taking time off work for most people but certain at-risk groups are prone to developing potentially fatal complications, such as bronchitis and pneumonia. |
| One upward trend is in the number of pregnant women receiving the flu jab this year - around 25%, compared to 13.6% by this week in 2011. | One upward trend is in the number of pregnant women receiving the flu jab this year - around 25%, compared to 13.6% by this week in 2011. |
| Louise Silverton, director for midwifery for the Royal College of Midwives, said: "Women must also be aware of the importance of having the seasonal flu vaccination as soon as they become pregnant. | Louise Silverton, director for midwifery for the Royal College of Midwives, said: "Women must also be aware of the importance of having the seasonal flu vaccination as soon as they become pregnant. |
| "If any pregnant woman is unsure about this, I would urge them to speak to their midwife or doctor to discuss the issue. | "If any pregnant woman is unsure about this, I would urge them to speak to their midwife or doctor to discuss the issue. |
| "For women after their 28th week of pregnancy, they should ask for the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination when they visit the GP." | "For women after their 28th week of pregnancy, they should ask for the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination when they visit the GP." |