MPs say they have been shocked to discover that only 25% of social care staff looking after the elderly and vulnerable are vaccinated against flu.

A report from the House of Commons science and technology select committee says it is as important for social care staff including those who work in care homes to be vaccinated as it is for hospital staff – if not more so.

The MPs were also disturbed to find that data on flu vaccine takeup by social care staff is not routinely collected. Their inquiry heard that an ad hoc Public Health England (PHE) survey of care homes revealed “huge variability, with the best [uptake] at 25%” and a low response rate to PHE’s questions.

“The flu season is upon us again and it’s outrageous that so few social care staff appear to be vaccinated,” said Norman Lamb MP, committee chair.

“Data is not routinely collected on uptake rates and any data that is collected is not published – this is a significant flaw in the system. Publishing data could be a key tool in further encouraging uptake of the vaccine.

“Some of our most vulnerable people are living in care homes and more must be done to protect them. Everyone caring for the elderly and infirm should see it as a professional duty to minimise the risk of passing on flu.

“The government should aim for 100% vaccination of social care workers to ensure the protection of those most vulnerable to the effects of flu.”

Last year’s flu season was the worst for seven years and many elderly people ended up in hospital with complications of the disease, which is caused by a viral infection. The report shows that 72.6% of people in the vulnerable over-65 age group were vaccinated, a slight increase over previous years. But even in a good year, the vaccine may only be 50% or 60% protective, the committee heard from PHE, emphasising the need for vaccination also of those who care for the elderly.

In up to half of all cases, people can have the flu without symptoms, so carers can pass the virus on without knowing they have it.

Health workers have been told they have a professional duty to be vaccinated, and the takeup rate across the NHS was the highest ever, at 68%. But that hid huge variation across England, says the committee. Some trusts only managed 30–40% while others achieved 90%.

The committee is calling for a government review by the end of February 2019 to establish whether there is a case for mandatory vaccination “for certain categories of healthcare workers”. That would include all those who work with the most vulnerable patients.

“The huge variation in uptake rates of the flu vaccination among healthcare workers is unacceptable,” said Lamb. “The fact that some trusts manage to get such high uptake rates demonstrates that what is being asked is not unachievable. It is time for many trusts to up their game and encourage their staff to get vaccinated.

“Welcome steps have been taken by NHS England and NHS Improvement to encourage frontline hospital staff to be vaccinated but the time has now come for the government to consider whether the flu vaccine should be mandatory for healthcare workers.”

Age UK urged older people and those who care for them to be vaccinated. “Older people who need care or are in care settings are also all too often vulnerable and can be more susceptible to flu,” said Caroline Abrahams, director of the charity.

“It is vital that older people and the care workers who care for them are vaccinated, which means better implementation across the care sector and better rollout across the country.”