Health bosses are urging people to take advantage of a new flu vaccine.

It contains a substance expected to make it more effective by improving the body’s immune response.

The formula will be available for people aged 65 and over but all eligible age groups are being asked to get a free vaccine.

Public Health England (PHE) data shows 77.1 per cent of people in this age bracket were vaccinated from September 1, 2017 to January 31, 2018, while the figure among pregnant women and young children did not get above 59 per cent.

In the South West more than 150 patients were admitted to intensive care units due to flu during the same period.

Dr Julie Yates, lead consultant in screening and immunisation for PHE, said: “Our figures show flu is not to be underestimated – every winter the virus makes hundreds of people seriously ill in the South West.