ONLY around one in three pregnant women and even fewer young children are getting their flu vaccine in Warwickshire.

As flu outbreaks are being reported in the West Midlands, they have prompted calls for those who can get vaccinated to do so to protect themselves from the potentially killer virus.

The first cases of flu for 2014 are now being reported, including outbreaks in some schools.

One in three people in Warwickshire are entitled to a free flu vaccination including anyone 65 yand over, pregnant women and children aged two, three and four. Those with clinicla risks including people with severe asthma, diabetes and chronic heart disease. However, it also includes people with chronic liver, kidney and neurological disease and those with lowered immunity.

Both GPs and community pharmacies are offering flu vaccinations, and early indications are that more people than ever before have been using pharmacies to get their flu vaccine.

Warwickshire is part of a pilot to vaccinate children in Years 7 and 8 at school to try and prevent flu virus outbreaks resulting in less flu cases in vulnerable adults.

Dr John Linnane, Warwickshire County Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “The latest figures indicate we are ahead of the national average in terms of the proportion of eligible individuals who have taken up the vaccination, but this does not mean we should relax."

He added that take up was low in young chilren and pregnant women.

The flu vaccine changes every year to fight the latest strains of flu, so even if you had one last winter you need another one this year to stay flu safe.

For more information, speak to your GP or local pharmacist.