A health watchdog is calling on pregnant women and those with long-term illnesses to have flu jabs.

Healthwatch Enfield has stated that only one third of pregnant women in Enfield have had their jab.

Groups most at risk of serious illness or even death if they catch flu include pregnant women, people who already have a long-term health condition and older people as well as young children.

Uptake for young children is very low and only half the eligible individuals with a long-term condition aged under 65 and in the 'at risk' group have had their flu vaccine.

Lorna Reith, chief executive of the watchdog said: “We urge all pregnant women to make sure they get their free flu jab and all parents with young children to ensure their child is protected. Flu is a nasty disease so why risk it when you don’t need to”.

The figures also show that 64 per cent of people aged 65 and over have had their jab.