- guardian.co.uk, Friday September 22 2000 02.58 BST
Yesterday the government launched a campaign to persuade more people than ever to have a flu vaccination this winter. For the first time, people over 65 will be able to get one on the NHS - in previous years, this has been limited to those over 75.
But research by the charity Age Concern, published yesterday, suggested that take-up in the extended age group may not be high. Some 47% of over-65s questioned in a survey did not believe they were at risk from flu. A third said they were concerned about possible side-effects of the vaccine. However, 59% said they intended to have a flu jab.
"One of the issues is that older people are reluctant to view themselves as an especially vulnerable group," said an Age Concern spokesman.
The campaign will focus on the most vulnerable - older people, but also those with lung problems and those who live or work in residential and nursing homes. The government is putting in an extra £60m to cover the costs of the campaign, the vaccine, and the extra work of GPs.
Last year there were more than 20,000 deaths from the complications of flu, the highest figure for 10 years.
