PEOPLE aged 65 and over are being urged to claim their free flu jab before the start of flu season, after figures showed a third missed their vaccination last year, adding avoidable pressure on services.

Those requiring hospital care caused extra strain on the NHS last year, with people aged 65 and over costing the NHS £93,262 due to the flu.

Now NHS services in the city are warning of a difficult winter ahead, especially for A&E departments and GP surgeries as they cope with increasing numbers of people seeking treatment.

Last year 25 people over 65 ended up in hospital in Brighton and Hove due to flu, with most of the intensive care admissions in Sussex being older patients.

Doctors believe the strain on hospital services last year could have been avoided had those eligible taken up the opportunity to have their free jab.

Just over two thirds of over 65-year-olds in the city had the free flu jab last year, which means thousands went unprotected.

Allison Cannon, chief nurse officer for East Surrey and Sussex Clinical Commissioning Groups, pictured right, said: “Local NHS staff are doing everything they can to prepare for the extra pressures expected over winter, which could be even tougher than the last for the NHS.

“The vaccine for over 65- year-olds could reduce GP flu consultations and hospitalisations, freeing up busy NHS staff to provide care for those in most need.

“So we are calling on those eligible to claim their free flu jab so they don’t add unnecessary pressures to local health and care services.”

Practices will receive their flu vaccine stock over the coming weeks.

People aged over 65 should contact their GP surgery to claim their free flu jab.

Find out more about the flu vaccine at www.nhs.uk.

The NHS also recommends the flu jab for other more vulnerable groups.

These include children, pregnant women and frontline health or social care workers.