Elderly urged to get flu jab

Around 65% of elderly people are regularly vaccinated

Pensioners over the age of 65 and people with serious medical conditions are being urged to contact their GP in order to receive this year's flu vaccination.

Around 65% of pensioners usually get the jab, but the Scottish Executive is trying to increase that number this winter.

Ministers are keen to avoid a repeat of the NHS crisis two years ago when a virulent strain of flu claimed many lives.

The plea over uptake of the vaccine comes only weeks after the executive launched a £10m advertising campaign highlighting the benefits of the flu jab for the elderly.

Elderly people are at high risk from flu

Health workers, asthmatics and people with serious medical conditions are being encouraged to get early vaccination.

Although last year's flu was the mildest on record, medical experts expect a more severe outbreak this winter.

The executive and health officials are mindful of the effect which "Sydney" flu had in 1999.

This virulent strain is estimated to have caused thousands of deaths and been responsible for a severe shortage of beds in the HNS over the winter months.

Vaccination programme

In a bid to avoid a repeat, the executive launched a £10m advertising campaign last month to publicise the vaccination programme.

Press, TV and bus advertisements are being used to increase the number of people aged over 65 coming forward.

Health Minister Susan Deacon also unveiled a catalogue of measures designed to get more people to visit their GP for flu jabs ahead of winter.

These include the appointment of flu co-ordinators across the country and more information for doctors to help them spot those most vulnerable.