Nearly 70,000 take free flu jab

More than 69,300 people received the influenza vaccine free of charge this winter up to the end of December, Primary Health director Andrew Amato Gauci said.

Around 47,000 of them were over 55 and suffering from chronic diseases, entitling them to the vaccine for free.

Around 29,000 attended government health centres to receive the vaccine, 15,600 went to local councils and a further 2,500 had the vaccine administered by their family doctor. Vaccines were also given for free to health care workers, the police, soldiers, members of the Civil Protection Department, prisoners and prison workers, chronic patients and people living in homes for the elderly.

Dr Amato Gauci said that in the previous influenza season, 2005/6, around 100,000 people who were entitled to the vaccine took it for free - and 62 per cent of the Maltese population took it in total.

Dr Amato Gauci said everyone should take the jab. "The more people who take it, the less impact influenza will have."

Last week the Health Division announced that it had some vaccine stock left after vaccinating all those who were eligible to take it for free and was offering it to the general public.

People can be vaccinated at government health centres in their locality from 8.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. between Monday and Saturday, until stocks last.