PEOPLE who are eligible for free flu jabs are being urged to book a vaccination before winter sets in.

Leeds North West MP Alex Sobel is issuing the reminder to residents in and around Otley as it emerged that 122,142 people across Leeds missed out on protection last year.

The MP's call came as the Chief Medical Officer warned last week that flu and complications associated with it cause 8,000 deaths on average a year in England - around 6,000 of which are people with existing heart and lung conditions.

Official figures show that just under 2.9m bed days were lost to flu and pneumonia last year in English hospitals, up almost 280,000 from the previous year – an 11 per cent increase.

Mr Sobel 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 cold weather sets in. It is really important we get this message out in Otley in Yeadon where we have a lot of eligible older residents who are particularly at risk."

This year, more people than ever – around 21 million - will be offered the vaccination. A £10m programme will also see a free vaccination offered to all care home workers via their GP or pharmacist.

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.

NHS England’s National Medical Director for Acute Care, Professor Keith Willett, said: “Hospitals and GPs are preparing intensively for this winter, and we would remind people of the importance of having a flu vaccination. There are 21 million people eligible this year, but last year eight million people missed out and that is something we can all definitely change.”

The free jab is available to anyone aged 65 and over, people with long term health conditions, health care workers, children aged two and three, school children up to year four, and children aged six months and above with some health conditions.

Visit www.nhs.uk/staywell for more information.