FLU jab take-up in the Wellington area seems to be bucking the national trend, according to figures from the town’s two health centres.

It has been reported that surgery fridges in England are full of unused vaccines and that 6% fewer patients have turned up for the treatment compared to the same time last year.

But in Wellington, Martin Ellacott, practice manager at the Luson Surgery, says that so far this year 66.1% of over-65s have had the vaccination compared to 65.3% at the same stage last year.

And Lydia Daniel-Baker, practice manager at Wellington Medical Centre, said it had seen higher vaccination rates in two out of three categories this year: patients aged 65 and over 78% (77% last year); patients aged 65 and under in a clinical at risk group 54% (55% last year); and well children aged two, three and four 54% (50% last year).

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) released the figures for England with a warning that patients in at risk groups could suffer severe complications from the flu virus. The figures showed surgeries were vaccinating more than 100 fewer patients per practice than this time last year.

RCGP chairman Maureen Baker told the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that patients may be getting their jabs from pharmacies. She also highlighted the fact that November had been very mild but pointed out that cold weather was not a necessary precursor to a flu outbreak.

Prof Simon de Lusignan, director of the RCGP research and surveillance centre, suggested people may have been influenced by perceptions of lower vaccine effectiveness last year. But he said effectiveness had been ‘reasonable’ and patients were much better protected by having it.

Mr Ellacott said: “I think the mild autumn may explain some of the delay in patients taking up the vaccination. Influenza can be a debilitating illness and those patients in the qualifying groups are at greater risk from its effects.

“We would encourage anyone over 65 or with a diagnosis of heart disease, diabetes, chronic liver disease, have suffered a stroke or TIA, suffer from COPD or asthma – and take a regular steroid inhaler – or are immuno-suppressed, to take up the offer of the vaccination. All pregnant women are also encouraged to have the vaccination.

“Vaccines remain available and we would recommend that those who want to take up the offer book as soon as possible.”

Lydia said all eligible patients had been invited to have a flu jab and if they had not already done so should contact the surgery to make an appointment or let it know if they wished to decline the vaccine this year.