Free flu jabs for the vulnerable (From The Bolton News)

Free flu jabs for the vulnerable

HEALTH bosses are urging people eligible for the flu jab to make sure they have it.

There were an estimated 56 cases of flu in Bolton in the week ending February 4.

As the winter continues, cases of flu will rise, warn health chiefs.

Nick Phin, a consultant in communicable disease control and the Health Protection Agency's regional flu leader in the North-west, said: "We're still not seeing a huge number of flu cases so there's no major cause for concern, but there have been significant increases in flu reports since the temperatures began to drop and it is important for people to take measures to protect themselves."

People eligible for a free jab include those over 65, have a history of chronic illness - heart conditions, kidney disease, asthma, diabetes - requiring medication and those who have lowered immunity to infection as a result of HIV, treatment by steroid medication or certain cancer drugs that lower resistance to infection.