Six thousand doses of flu vaccine were delivered to Health Department last month. ?We started giving flu vaccines on October 23,? said nurse Lynn Jackson who heads the department.

To date just over 3,000 doses have been administered. Ms Jackson said because the elderly and young children are both at higher risk of contracting the flu, the vaccine is offered to them first. Also at greater risk are those in institutions and they have priority status for the vaccine as well.

Seventy-year-old John Allen works full time as a security guard and said he cannot afford to be sick.

?I get my shot every season because I?ve had pneumonia twice,? he said. ?I?ve been getting it for about two years just to guard against getting the flu. Because I?ve had pneumonia the flu can cause serious complications for me and make my resistance very low.

?I?ve found that I may still get the flu but a much milder version -just a cold really. I am able to continue to eat well and have a normal life. Whereas with a full blown flu I have no strength, lose my appetite, have to make doctor visits and stay home maybe for three days out of the week.

?When I have the flu shot I am able to shake off the colds I get without missing work or trips to the doctor.?

A walk in flu shot service is currently in operation at the Government Clinics and Ms Jackson said she?s seen a steady stream of people take advantage each morning. The vaccine is free to locals 65 years and older and cost $10 otherwise.

The walk in service is available at the Hamilton Health Centre on Victoria Street Monday to Friday from 8.30 a.m. - 11.30 a.m., at the St George?s clinic Mondays from 9 a.m. - 11a.m. and at the Somerset Clinic on Wednesdays from 9a.m. - 11 a.m.