Researchers have claimed that the benefits of immunising elderly people against flu may be questionable, it has been reported.

A study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal has noted that few vaccine trials have included elderly people in them and the benefits of providing people over the age of 65 with the jabs have been "greatly exaggerated".

Dr Lone Simonsen and colleagues from George Washington University in Washington DC argue that recent studies carried out in western countries have not been able to confirm a decline in deaths from flu since 1980, despite an increase in vaccination coverage.

The NHS states that flu symptoms include chills, fever, aching muscles and headaches and you should have a jab if you are over the age of 65 or if you have one of a number of conditions including a long-term kidney or liver disease, a serious heart problem or are a diabetic.