EU Countries miss flu vaccination target (except for one)

European health ministers agreed on a target of vaccinating 75% of older people in 2009 ‒ almost all countries are still falling short. The Steering Group in Influenza has published recommendations on how to turn the tide. 

Older people, pregnant women and those with chronic disease (such as diabetes and lung conditions) are at highest risk of severe illness and death if infected with a flu virus. 

To help reduce the impact of the annual flu epidemic on vulnerable groups, as well as the impact this can have on health systems and the wider economy, governments are supposed to be pushing to vaccinate at least 75% of people aged 65 and older. This target was agreed by health ministers in 2009.