The health authorities are urging everyone to take the seasonal influenza vaccine as they brace themselves for an early, and possibly more severe, flu outbreak than usual.

Charmaine Gauci, Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Department head, said seasonal influenza viruses had already been circulating in summer and the EU was expecting an earlier outbreak than usual.

“The flu season normally hits Malta between January and March but we are expecting it earlier this year,” she said when contacted.

International flu experts are forecasting that both the seasonal influenza and the H1N1 virus, causing a global pandemic, would lead to illness, hospital stays and deaths this year.

While the seasonal influenza vaccine does not protect against the swine flu virus, the authorities are still urging anyone over six months to get jabbed.

People over 55 years, those suffering from chronic lung, heart, liver, kidney diseases, diabetes and immunodeficiency conditions and those living in institutions are eligible to get the vaccine for free. Those eligible for the free vaccine can go to all health centres on weekdays between 10.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and midday. In the coming two weeks health centres will also open between 4 and 7 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Those under 55 with chronic conditions should produce evidence of their medical problems to take the free vaccine.

Family doctors have also been roped into the scheme and eligible patients can contact their doctor to get it from the clinic and simply pay for the service.

Moreover, those who are homebound can call 2138 7526 between midday and 3 p.m. to get the vaccine at home. Those registered with the MMDNA, community care nurses, will be automatically included in this list.