The statement said that the vaccine would be available throughout autumn and into winter with those deemed vulnerable and resident in institutions also able to access the vaccine free of any charge and without a prescription.
The General Directorate strongly recommended that the elderly, those suffering chronic illnesses and with immune deficiency issues, those pregnant and any healthcare professionals in general or service providers in elderly persons homes, for example, all take the vaccine.
The statement said that the National Health Service would have 1.2 million doses of the vaccine available, slightly up from the numbers distributed in the last two flu seasons, 1,176,984 and 1,150,861 respectively.