FEWER than six out of ten pensioners in our region are bothering to have potentially life-saving flu jabs, it has emerged.

But the health authority which covers York and North and East Yorkshire still has one of the best uptake rates in England, according to a written Parliamentary answer.

Figures published by the Department of Health show only 59.5 per cent of over-65s registered to the North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire health body had been inoculated by November 1.

It is the fifth highest take-up rate of England's 28 strategic health authorities, but still means 40.5 per cent of pensioners are avoiding the jab.

The take-up rate is even higher in the Selby and York Primary Care Trust (PCT), which recently launched an advertising campaign to get the vital flu jab message across to the over 65s and younger people in high risk groups, such as those with heart and chest conditions and those with diabetes.

Last year, the take-up rate for the jab in the Selby and York area was 75 per cent and up to the end of November this year 73 per cent of the target group had been vaccinated.

Health chiefs insist it is vital pensioners receive their annual flu jab, especially if they have got serious medical conditions such as bronchitis or asthma.

Vaccinations are potentially life-saving, according to the Department of Health. Official figures state flu is estimated to cause thousands of deaths each year.

Ministers are desperate to avoid a repeat of a recent National Health Service crisis when a virulent strain of flu claimed lives and only last week the Government launched a multi-million pound advertising flu jab campaign.

Updated: 10:51 Wednesday, December 17, 2003