People could be risking their health by wrongly believing the flu jab can give them the virus.

Coughs and colds are more prevalent in winter, and for those with exisiting complaints, protection against conditions which could complicate their current medical problems is imperative.

Linda Scott, lead for immunisations and vaccinations with NHS Bradford and Airedale, says the belief that the flu vaccine gives you the condition is one of many ‘myths’ which has been circulating for several years.

“The thing about these myths is they become taller stories, but one myth is it can give you flu, which is absolutely not the case because the flu vaccination is known as an ‘inactivated’ vaccination,” she said.

Linda says it takes two weeks for those who have had the vaccine to develop immunity, so those who become ill may have been incubating illness before having the jab.

A sore arm and slightly raised temperatures are common side affects, but for those who run the risk by not having the jab, flu symptoms are several times worse.

“The main thing is, when people are in the at-risk groups they can have a serious condition and if they were to get the flu virus, lots of people tell us how ill they feel, so it is multiplied several times by the people in the at-risk groups,” says Linda.

She says some with conditions, such as asthma, may believe the medication they take for their condition will be sufficient, but it won’t.

Pregnant women, people suffering from respiratory, heart, hereditary and degenerative diseases, diabetes, those with neurological conditions and youngsters with special needs such as cerebral palsy are in the risk group.

Linda explains those in the at-risk group could be critically ill if they caught the virus. She says lots of people have died from flu nationally.

She also wants to see more carers coming forward to be immunised. She says they have to be protected to look after their nearest and dearest. “It is an important jab to make sure you have,” says Linda.

She says many, including health care workers, have already come forward for the jab, having suffered last Christmas when they hadn’t had the vaccination.

“Just make sure you have your flu jab at the earliest possible time to get yourself fully protected, so you can enjoy this Christmas,” Linda adds.

Chief medical officer, Professor Sally Davies, says an estimated seven million people in England have had the jab so far this year, but she wants to see 75 per cent of over 65s and 60 per cent of under 65s in at-risk groups get vaccinated.

“I can categorically state that the flu jab does not give you flu,” she says. “The vaccine does not include the live virus.

“It can save your life, though. Flu can kill – and it can be particularly dangerous for people in at-risk groups.”

She says those in at-risk groups are 11 times more likely to die from flu than a healthy person.

“If you haven’t been called for a flu jab and are in an at-risk group, it’s time to contact your GP to make an appointment. If you’re in an at-risk group, it is free on the NHS.”

Fifty per cent of people over 65 have had the jab, but only 32 per cent of those under 65 in at-risk groups – such as those with diabetes, liver disease, asthma or chest problems and neurological conditions – have come forward.

While figures are slightly up on last year, the Government is still urging people to come forward. Some GP practices ran drop-in flu jab clinics in October, which have now finished, but patients can still book individual appointments with GPs or practice nurses.

Data from the Health Protection Agency published recently shows three people have been admitted to intensive care with flu since the flu season began.

Diabetics are six times more likely to die if they get flu than a healthy person, while those with chronic heart disease are 11 times more likely to die.

People with chronic liver disease are 48 times more likely to die and those with undergoing medical treatment who may have a compromised immune system are 47 times more likely.

Figures for last year show 73 per cent of over-65s got their jab during the winter, alongside 50 per cent of under-65s in an at-risk group. Uptake in pregnant women was 38 per cent overall.