NHS staff have vaccinated a record 80.3 per cent of those aged 65 years and over in England against flu so far this year, the highest uptake ever achieved for this group.

Despite the complexities of rolling out the largest national NHS flu immunisation programme during a winter with coronavirus cases still rising, the 80 per cent figure is just under 10 per cent higher than this time last year, exceeding the World Health Organization uptake ambition of 75 per cent.

NHS statistics also show that uptake in two- and three-year-old children is also the highest ever recorded, at 54 per cent and 56.5 per cent respectively.

Dr Vanessa Saliba, Head of Flu at Public Health England, said: “The flu vaccine saves lives. It is therefore very encouraging to see record-high uptake rates this season, especially among the groups most vulnerable to flu, who are also most at-risk from Covid-19. There is still time to get vaccinated against flu and we urge anyone who is eligible to take up the offer to help protect yourself, your family and the NHS.