Shocking figures have revealed half of Kent's primary school children are not having their flu inoculation.

It comes after the government announced last month plans for the biggest flu vaccination programme in UK history in a bid to reduce pressure on the NHS this winter.

Free flu vaccinations will be offered to 30 million people across the UK - doubling its current programme - which now includes all school year groups up to Year 7.

There have been concerns the seasonal flu and an outbreak of the coronavirus could both overwhelm the NHS this winter.

It has left GP surgeries across the district facing a huge surge in demand.

But new data collected by the BBC Shared Data Unit has revealed the scale of the challenge ahead to increase the number of people having the vaccine.

Figures show only 51% of primary school children aged between four and 11 were vaccinated in Kent.

The picture is worse in Medway where only 49% of kids of the same age had it.

Vulnerable under 65s with pre-existing conditions - including diabetes, multiple sclerosis and asthma - will also now be offered the vaccine this year.

But figures for this group show the rate of people having the jab has declined over the past five years.

Data for Kent show it has dropped from 47.8% in 2015 to 42.8% in 2020 - meaning less than half are having it.

There has been a greater decline in Medway, where it has dropped more than 6% in the past five years.

The World Health Organisation says countries should aim for 75%.

Among the at-risk under 65s, figures from the last winter flu season show local authorities across England averaged only a 45% take-up.

A spokesperson for Public Health England and the NHS in Kent and Medway said it's "more important than ever" to manage the risk posed by flu alongside the "continued threat" from the coronavirus.

"Flu can be a killer, particularly for the elderly and those with existing health conditions," they said.

"Getting immunised doesn’t just protect you from infection; it also means that you won’t be at risk of catching it and passing it on to others.

"The expansion of the vaccination programme to more of our young people and a broader section of our adult population means that more of us can play our part in reducing flu in our communities, keeping people safe and reducing pressure on the NHS over the winter period.

"In the coming weeks we will be publicising further details on how people will be able to get their flu jab."

This month it was revealed patients will be given flu jabs through car windows as part of measures to vaccinate more people ahead of a feared second wave of Covid-19.

Whitstable Medical Practice is preparing to administer 18,000 flu jabs - almost double the 10,000 planned for before the age of eligibility was lowered to 50.

As a result, a drive-thru centre for Covid-19 patients at Estuary View Medical Centre has been converted to a flu clinic.

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