Brussels, 10/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 9 January, the European Commission published a progress report on the Council's recommendation of 22 December 2009, which urged member states to commit by winter 2014/2015 to vaccinating 75% of older people against seasonal flu. The report reveals that, according to the data provided by 18 member states, the objective has been reached only by the Netherlands for winter 2011/2012. The UK has nearly reached the objective - with 74% of older people being vaccinated. The results achieved by the other 16 member states that were able to supply complete data varies strongly - with the percentage of older people being vaccinated against seasonal flu ranging from 1.7% to 64.1%. As regards the percentage of vaccination of two other high-risk groups identified (people with chronic conditions and healthcare workers), the information provided by member states was scant - only five and six member states for each group respectively provided data. This reinforces the impression that little or even no progress has been made in increasing the number of people vaccinated in the target populations, the Commission deplores. The report can be consulted at: http://ec.europa.eu/health/vaccination/policy/index_en.htm (IL/transl.fl)