The final batch of flu vaccine for the national programmes reaches GP surgeries this week: 300,000 injectable doses, the Health Ministry said. A wholesaler is delivering the vaccines, and this batch ends supplies for the programmes.

Children and people aged 65 and over get the vaccine free under the programmes.

The programmes have 547,504 doses in total, 500,000 of them injectable. So far doctors have given 108,518 doses, 20,484 of them nasal.

The ministry reminds people that November is a good time to get vaccinated, and that it is best to have the shot before the flu season starts and during it. It says the vaccine lowers the risk of complications and of going to hospital with flu.

Vaccination under the programmes began in early October and runs until the end of March next year.