Britain urges flu shots for those at risk

LONDON, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- British health officials are urging the government to persuade those in "at risk" categories for flu to get immunized to stave off a crisis.

"GP (general practitioner) leaders are deeply concerned that a major flu crisis is brewing this winter and are calling on the government to step up the public awareness campaign for seasonal flu immunization", the British Medical Association said. "GPs are reporting that fewer of their 'at-risk' patients are coming forward to be immunized this year and are concerned that, as a consequence, the regular seasonal outbreak could prove much more serious."

The British Medical Association says the elderly, pregnant women and people with diabetes or asthma, heart or chest conditions could contract the influenza B strain with potential fatal results without prior immunization, The Guardian reported Friday.

Seventeen have died since October.

Britain's Health Protection Agency reported only 40 percent of people in at risk groups have had flu shots so far this year.