The Scottish Government has launched a new hard-hitting campaign to urge the most at risk groups to get a flu vaccination this winter.

Promoting the message "Don't let the flu turn on you", the campaign is aimed at encouraging the most vulnerable groups – people aged over 65, people with medical conditions that put them at risk, and NHS healthcare staff – to visit their local health clinic to receive their free vaccination.

The latest campaign came about after new research showed many people in these risk groups do not see the need to get the vaccination or do not realise they are eligible. 

Launching the campaign at the Craigmillar Medical Group in Edinburgh, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Nicola Sturgeon, said: "Many of us have had flu and know just quite how lousy it can make you feel and nasty it can be. It's not just a bad cold and for those in 'at-risk' groups, it really can - as our campaign says - turn on you."

"I would urge all those eligible to get their vaccine. There simply is no better way to protect yourself from the flu and its potential consequences."
 
Dr Jim McMenamin, consultant epidemiologist at Health Protection Scotland and chair of the National Flu and Pneumococcal Group, added: "Every year people develop complications from flu that may mean weeks of treatment from their GP or, worse still, admission to hospital. Sadly we still see a number of people who die from the complications of flu every year." 

"My advice is clear: if you're eligible for the flu vaccine, get the vaccination and 'Don't let the flu turn on you'."

The vaccination programme is due to begin in surgeries and medical centres across Scotland from the start of October 2008.