THOUSANDS of elderly people are at greater risk from a flu outbreak because they haven't had a vital jab in addition to the usual flu jab, health bosses have warned.

Almost 9,000 OAPs have not had an injection offering greater protection should a pandemic occur.

Flu pandemics occur in 30 year cycles and health chiefs expect another to hit soon.

The Health Protection Agency has already warned that 500 East Lancashire people would die as a result of a flu pandemic - four times higher than flu deaths most years.

People under 65 who have long-term health problems are also being urged to get the jab.

Health chiefs in Hyndburn and Ribble Valley hoped 85 per cent of people over 65 would get the pneumococcal jab but only 60 per cent have.

This means almost 9,000 of the area's 22,200 pensioners are at risk.

The extra jab helps prevent complications, such as pneumonia, setting in if the person catches flu A spokesman for Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Primary Care Trust said: "A recent study by the PCT showed uptake of the vaccine in all of the at risk groups was lower than expected."

Elaine Michel, consultant in public health at the PCT, said a pandemic was overdue with bird flu a likely trigger: "Should there be a flu pandemic pneumococcal immunisation will help to prevent complications."

"Streptococcus pneumoniae is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics: this makes prevention by immunisation even more important."

Clitheroe GP Dr Alan Crowther said: "Fewer patients who are at risk of getting the pneumococcal germ are getting and benefiting from the protection of the vaccination.

"Anyone aged 65 and over should have a jab to protect them against pneumococcal infection, which can cause serious diseases such as pneumonia, meningitis and septicaemia.

"Older people are at a higher risk from pneumococcal pneumonia with around two in every 1,000 people over 65 admitted to hospital each year.