DISTRICT MP Rachel Maclean has called on Redditch residents to get their free flu jab ahead of a national drive to prepare people for the winter snap.

The MP’s call comes as the government’s chief medical officer Sally Davies warned last month that flue and associated complications with it cause 8,000 deaths on average a year.

Around 6,000 of which are from people with existing heart and lung conditions.

Ms Maclean said: “Getting the flu can be bad enough for even the fittest of us, but for older people and those with long-term conditions in particular it can cause serious health problems.

“Getting the flu jab is free and easy, and offers the best chance of avoiding the flu that we have.

“I’d therefore urge all those eligible – including all care home staff for the first time - to speak to your GP or local pharmacist and get your vaccination booked in before the really cold weather sets in.”

Official figures show just under 2.9 million bed days were lost in English hospitals last year due to flu and pneumonia – an 11 per cent increase from the previous year.

This year, more people than ever – around 21 million - will be offered the vaccination.

Children in school Year 4 will be offered the vaccine for the first time and children over age 4 in reception year can get their vaccine in school.

The national drive marks the start of the Public Health England and NHS England’s joint Stay Well This Winter campaign, which helps the most vulnerable people prepare for winter and avoid having to visit hospital due to common winter illnesses.

For more information on the flu jab, visit nhs.uk/staywell.