A Quarter of Local Pensioners Have No Flu Protection

1.53.05pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 14th Nov 2005

Statistics on flu immunisation show that 27% of local pensioners - over 65 - had no protection. Despite this, Richmond had the best figures in London where on average 29% are not covered - 29% is also the national averages - and the figure goes up to 44% in Southwark.

Vincent Cable MP said: "There is a lot of anxiety about Asian bird flu but the risk of elderly people getting seriously ill from more common versions of flu is much greater. Despite a lot of effort from local doctors, it is still the case that too many pensioners are unprotected. Some have very robust constitutions and don't bother. But a lot are being overlooked. With winter coming on, I hope relatives will check that grandparents are being cared for."