Flu jab unnecessary - poll - News in brief

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Almost three-quarters are also against plans to extend the number of people eligible for vaccination, it found.

Of the 310 doctors questioned by GP magazine, 25.3% said influenza immunisation was not needed.

The Government's annual flu vaccination programme offers the jab to anyone over 65 and to people with chest problems and low immunity. The programme for England costs around £115m annually.

the poll found that 72% of GPs were against plans to extend the flu jab programme to adults aged 50 to 65 and children under the age of two.

Three-quarters (77%) also said they had seen no increase in the number of patients coming forward for a flu jab this flu season compared with 2006/07.

Dr George Kassianos, immunisation spokesman for the Royal College of GPs, told GP newspaper: "Evidence shows that the flu jab is beneficial but we do not give it to enough people.

"If you do not vaccinate enough people then it is not as effective.

"By extending the programme to include people aged 50 to 65 and children we can reduce the chances of the virus circulating in the community."

Dr Kassianos blamed the GP backlash against the flu vaccine on findings from a Health Protection Agency (HPA) study in November which suggested that flu jabs did not reduce hospital admissions from respiratory infections.