DOCTORS in Bolton start a campaign this week warning people to get jabs against flu in time for winter.

Health chiefs in the town want as many people over 65 as possible protected against the potentially fatal disease and are also warning people with other health conditions like diabetes and kidney problems to have the injection too.

They are now working to step up people's knowledge about the injection, and to get rid of fears that it is ineffective and can even increase the risk.

Doctors say the injection -- available through all GPs -- only protects against true influenza.

And are warning people not to doubt the effectiveness if they get an illness like a cold afterwards.

Dr Robert Aston, consultant in communicable disease control for Wigan and Bolton Health Authority, said: "Flu is a serious disease and we want to promote immunisation as much as we can. This year we are extending the programme and want as many people as possible to be protected. Every winter people die who need not if they were immunised."

Every autumn a national campaign is run, offering the vaccine to protect the people who are at serious risk of illness should they catch the flu.

And this includes everyone who is 65 years or older which is why this year for the first time doctors are particularly targeting them.

Flu is a highly infectious illness caused by the influenza virus. It tends to start suddenly with symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, aching muscles and feeling generally unwell, together with a cough or sore throat.

It is usually much more than a simple head cold, although people sometimes call a heavy cold 'flu'. Colds are more likely to start gradually with a sore throat and stuffy or runny nose and to be less severe.

Flu is spread by coughs and sneezes from people who are already infected with the virus and it can spread very rapidly.

For most people, the infection is a nasty experience. But for some, flu can lead to more serious illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia requiring hospital treatment. And every winter sadly, a lot of people die.

As well as the 65 plus, doctors say that people with a chronic heart or chest complain including asthma should have the jab.

They also advise those with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, lowered immunity to a disease or treatment such as steroid medication or cancer treatment, or those who live in an old people's home or a nursing home.

Dr Aston said: "Flu is a very unpleasant illness, but generally healthy people get over it, but in certain groups it is much more risky. It can lead to serious problems like pneumonia and it can kill. We are working at the Health Authority with nurses and GPs to raise awareness. The vaccine is free, it is safe and over 80 per cent effective. If people do get flu after the jab, it will almost certainly be a milder risk."

Flu vaccine contain the ingredients from three different strains of flu virus. The viruses are grown in hens' eggs then killed and purified before being made into vaccine.

About a week to ten days after the injection, your body makes antibodies to the vaccine viruses. These antibodies help to protect against any similar viruses you then come into contact with for around a year. Health chiefs say the flu jabs are very effective and and most people vaccinated will not get the kinds of flu from which the vaccine was made. If people do catch flu, it is likely to be milder than if you had not been vaccinated. Adverse reactions are very rare indeed.

They also say the best time to be vaccinated is between late September and early November ready for winter - not wait until there is a flu epidemic.

Dr Aston said: "Last year was not a major epidemic bit a lot of people were ill. This vaccine can prevent this and reduce people's risk."

If you think you need a flu vaccination, check with your doctor or your practice nurse.