The minimum national target for influenza vaccination of patients aged 65 years or over has been surpassed just two months into the Government’s publicity campaign, the Department of Health says.
Mr Alan Milburn (Secretary of State for Health) announced in May that general practitioners would be expected to achieve a 60 per cent minimum uptake for the vaccine in this group of patients. Latest figures from all health authorities show that the national uptake among patients aged 65 and over is 61 per cent.
"Almost 11 million ’flu vaccine doses were delivered this year to GPs from manufacturers for this campaign. Vaccines are still being given around the country and there are 160,000 doses still available for those who need it,"Mr Milburn said in a press release issued on December 15.