TWO out of three North Westerners said they are not planning to have the annual flu jab, according to a survey by Fisherman’s Friend.

More than six out of 10 older people – including over 65s who are among the groups most vulnerable to developing a life-threatening form of the illness – say they, too, have no plans to get themselves immunised, the company said.

Spokesman Rob Metcalfe added: “Despite widespread reports of a looming flu epidemic, and stringent warnings from the NHS for particularly vulnerable groups to get the flu jab, it seems the majority of us are rather blasé about getting immunised, while the attitude of healthcare professionals who took part in our survey is particularly worrying.”