PREGNANT women, older people, those with long-term health conditions and parents of young children are being reminded to make sure flu vaccinations are up to date as the cold weather creeps in.

Free vaccines are available on the NHS for those under 65 with long-term conditions such as asthma, diabetes and chronic heart disease, children aged two, three and four, pregnant women and anyone 65 and older.

Last year the NHS launched a nasal spray allowing young children to be vaccinated without the need for a needle and is being offered this year to Worcestershire school pupils in years seven and eight as part of a pilot project.

Public health consultant for NHS England in Arden, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Ash Banerjee said: “Every year hundreds of thousands of people may see their GP and tens of thousands may be hospitalised because of flu each winter.

“Symptoms of flu can be very unpleasant and last for several days.

“It can lead to more serious complications like middle ear infections in children, pneumonia and bronchitis for some people which will mean a hospital stay.

“The best way to improve the prevention and management of flu is to increase the uptake of vaccination, especially among those in at risk groups and health and social care workers with direct patient contact.”

Vaccines are available now until March 2015 from any GP surgery or pharmacy.

For more information visit www.nhs.uk/flu.