As winter surge continues, it is important to offer NHS flu vaccines to those over 50.

As hospitals and workplaces struggle to deal with the flu and respiratory virus outbreaks this winter, a charity is calling for NHS flu vaccines to be made available to people aged 50-64 in England.

Asthma + Lung UK, a charity that supports asthma and lung disease in the UK, is calling on Wes Streeting as health secretary to extend free vaccinations for everyone over 50 years old.

This winter , the free NHS jab is only available to those 65 years and older. Those with health conditions underlying can also purchase private jabs from their local pharmacies.

A workplace health provider said recently that the increase in flu cases this winter is “unprecedented”. Research has shown that winter flu and respiratory illnesses can cost employers up to PS44bn per year in absence or lost productivity.

Asthma + Lung UK urges England to follow Northern Ireland’s lead, where earlier this month the Northern Ireland executive announced that eligibility for free influenza vaccines would be extended there to anyone over 50 years old.

Sarah Sleet (chief executive of Asthma + Lung UK) said, “Once more, hospitals are at breaking points, with one the worst flu season in recent years. Now that more hospitals are declaring critical incidents, it is time to implement practical solutions.

We urge the Health Secretary to use any excess vaccine stocks to expand eligibility to more people, and to offer free vaccines for 50-64 year-olds with immediate effect.

While the NHS winter crisis is a problem that will require longer-term solutions, such as better care year-round for those with chronic lung diseases, there are immediate actions we can take, using existing resources.

“We know that almost one fifth of those who were hospitalized with flu last winter were between the ages of 55 and 64. Sleet said that vaccinating more people would not only help reduce the spread, but also protect those most vulnerable. This includes those with lung diseases who are seven times more likely than healthy adults to die from flu.