Health say just over a quarter of 15-64 year-olds with underlying illnesses have had the jab this winter compared to almost of half in England where there have been fewer cases of flu.
Health say they are seeing the most cases of the A H1N1 virus among 15-44 year-olds and it’s not just affecting those with underlying illnesses and conditions like diabetes and asthma.
Consultant Microbiologist Dr Ivan Muscat said: “The young, the elderly, those with underlying illness, pregnant women and now, increasingly, school children are the target groups for flu vaccine.
“There has been a low uptake among those with underlying illness in the 15-64 year old age range – just 26% of those eligible have had it, in contrast to 45% in England.
“We would particularly urge people in the 15-64 age group with underlying medical such as diabetes, chronic respiratory, heart, renal or neurological disease and immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, as well as pregnant women, to ensure they are vaccinated if they haven’t been already.
“Vaccination remains the best preventative measure against flu. Public Health England has indicated good overlap between the circulating strains and those included in this year’s vaccine. The fact that it is relatively late in the flu ‘season’ should not prevent people from protecting themselves.”
School children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 were offered the nasal flu vaccination for the first time last Autumn and the plan is to get more pupils protected in future to help stop flu spreading around the Island.
Dr Muscat said: “As always, good hand and respiratory hygiene are also very important in reducing spread.
“It is hoped that the increasing roll-out of the nasal flu vaccination for school children over the coming years will achieve greater protection against flu amongst both children and, as a result of decreased transmission, the population at large.”
Scotland and Northern Ireland have also seen more cases of flu this winter but there have been fewer cases of it in England.
