Thanks to GPs Blackburn with Darwen has had an encouraging start to the flu jab season.
Early results show a good overall take up of free flu jabs from both eligible members of the public and staff working in GPs surgeries.
Sixty one per cent of over 65s have taken up the offer of the free flu jab with just under 40% (38.2%) of those under 65 at risk getting the vaccination.
However there is room for more take up among pregnant women with just 35% of those who are pregnant and at clinical risk having the vaccination and only 18% of pregnant women overall taking it.
Among staff working in GP surgeries and other health care organisations around 34% have taken up offers of vaccination.
“These are very positive results so far but we do need another push to get as many people vaccinated as possible and minimise the risk of serious illness this winter,” said Dr Gifford Kerr, Consultant in Public Health.
“I know GPs are taking every opportunity they can to encourage people at risk to have the flu jab so I hope to see even better results early in the new year.”
