Vulnerable and pregnant residents are being encouraged to get a free flu jab.

Barking MP Margaret Hodge is joining thousands across the borough in taking up the annual vaccination and said everyone over 65 or who is “at risk” should do the same.

More than 40,000 Barking and Dagenham residents are eligible to get the jab free on the NHS, but last year more than 15,000 of them were not vaccinated.

“The seasonal flu vaccination is important to help protect our most vulnerable residents and workers who are most at risk of serious complications or even death from flu,” said Mrs Hodge, 69.

“I would encourage everyone over 65 and those who are ‘at risk’ to visit their pharmacy or surgery and get vaccinated”.

Last year more than 60 per cent of pregnant women in the borough did not take up the flu vaccination, despite the fact that pregnant women are at high risk of developing complications from flu leading to severe illness and hospitalisation.

Pharmacist Reena Kanda said: “People should remember that flu remains a serious threat.”