Free flu jabs are more cost-effective than other public health efforts that receive Government funding, says a Christchurch virologist.

Dr Lance Jennings, just back from Geneva, where he helps the World Health Organisation (WHO) to fight influenza globally, says the flu vaccination has a significant cost-benefit to the Government.

"Influenza is contagious and affects 10 per cent of the population annually."

Flu is costly both healthwise and economically for New Zealand, he says, and "we could still do better to fight the problem.

"We are up with most European countries and level with Australia but we are behind the United States and Canada."

New Zealand funds free vaccinations for only its most vulnerable citizens - the elderly and those with ongoing illness.

"Our strategy in New Zealand is to lower hospital admissions by protecting those at greater risk of developing complications following flu and lessening their risk of dying."

- NZPA

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