“People over the age of 65 and those in at-risk groups should visit their GP surgeries for a free flu vaccination.  Flu vaccination plays an important role in protecting those people who are more susceptible to serious complications from the condition,” said Roger Gale MP.

Dr George Kassianos, a GP and member of the Royal College of GPs, said that “Flu is a pretty nasty infection to get, but it can be a serious illness for people aged over 65 and those deemed to be ‘at risk’ so I would encourage these groups to get their jabs.” Complications from flu can be severe, with as many as 3,000 - 4,000 deaths in the UK each year attributable to flu[2]
 
The Department of Health provides free flu vaccinations for at risk groups, which include those aged 65 or over; people with chronic respiratory disease (including asthma), heart, renal or liver disease; diabetes; low immune systems; as well as people living in long-stay facilities such as nursing and residential homes, and carers of elderly or disabled people[3].
 
The initiative is sponsored by the UK Vaccine Industry Group (UVIG) and [has received the support of the Department of Health] as a means of highlighting the importance of flu vaccination.
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[1] Department of Health, Health Protection Agency flu uptake rates for 2007/08 season.  Accessed at
http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/Flu/Vaccine/previous_uptake_results
[2] Salisbury DM. Immunisation Against Infectious Disease. HMSO 2006, chapter 19 – Influenza
[3] CMO Letter: The Influenza Immunisation Programme 2008/09