Older folk in South Devon have been slow to accept the potentially life-saving offer of free 'flu jabs, according to health chiefs.

Thousands of over-65s still have to be vaccinated if NHS organisations are to meet a key Government target.

Ministers have told the primary care trusts, which co-ordinate GP services at district level, to ensure at least 70 per cent of senior citizens are immunised by the end of this month.

But the take-up rate in Torbay and Teignbridge so far is just 55 per cent and in South Hams 57 per cent.

Although the number of people visiting doctors' surgeries for the free jabs is about the same as last year, the Department of Health has moved the target significantly higher. The upward shift is a recognition of the fact that 'flu complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia kill between 3,000 and 4,000 people in the UK every year.

The 'flu virus also causes acute respiratory illness among people of all ages every winter, at a cost of 150 million working days.

Liz Procter, corporate affairs manager at Newton Abbot-based Teignbridge Primary Care Trust, said: "People have got a little bit complacent.

"For most people 'flu is an unpleasant experience - however it can have very serious consequences for older people or those in 'at risk' groups.

"The vaccination is safe and effective and most people do not experience any side effects. All they have to do is contact their local surgery to make an appointment."

A spokeswoman at Torbay PCT said: "We're asking GPs to contact patients personally to encourage more of them to come forward.

"And of course it's not just for their own benefit; the more people who are immunised means there is less chance of someone's frail elderly neighbour being infected."

The annual immunisation is available without charge to people over 65 and to younger people with certain medical conditions.

These include asthma or diabetes mellitus, chronic respiratory, heart or kidney disease and weak immune systems. Long-stay residents in homes are also eligible.