Flu vaccines now offered to mothers-to-be

Everyone aged 65 or over, people who live in residential or nursing homes, carers and those with underlying health conditions such as heart problems, diabetes or asthma, are also encouraged to accept the free immunisation.

The World Health Organisation has recommended the routine fly vaccine include a component to protect people against swine flu.

Dr David Kirrage, from the Health Protection Agency in the West Midlands, said: “We can never predict what will happen in any flu season but we will remain vigilant and assess the situation as more information becomes available from our surveillance systems and from the virus samples.

“We should expect that flu viruses will circulate this winter and it remains important that everyone who is in an at-risk group receives their flu jab.”