The seasonal influenza vaccine is being offered free of charge to the public, including children older than six months, until stocks last, the government said.

It said in a statement that a large number of people with an increased risk of complications deriving from influenza, received the vaccine free of charge from health centres, councils, family doctors, homes, institutes and hospitals in the past three weeks.

Seasonal influenza can affect people of all age groups, from infancy to old age.

The vaccine helped prevent this illness which could bring about medical complications leading to increased hospital admissions, the government said.

It said influenza was usually more common during the colder months, but this was the ideal time to get vaccinated to help the body build up immunity against the virus.

The public may call at their area health centre during the normal opening hours, or at the Out-Patients Department at Mater Dei Hospital. They should take with them their identity cards or the immunisation record book in the case of children.