BRUSSELS, July 8 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Wednesday called for an increase in seasonal flu vaccinations for vulnerable populations in Europe.

    The European Union's executive body also urged EU countries to ensure that three quarters of their elderly population and three quarters of people with some specific underlying health problems are vaccinated every year against seasonal flu.

    The target should be achieved by 2015 at the latest, the commission said in a proposal.

    The proposal also includes education and training for healthcare workers on seasonal influenza as well as information for those targeted for vaccination and their families.

    "Seasonal influenza will hit Europe in early winter. We need to act now and step up our vaccine capacity for both seasonal flu and A/H1N1, and we only have a narrow time frame to do so," EU Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said.

    Vaccination is the most cost-effective way to reduce the debilitating effects that seasonal flu has on individuals, their families and society.

    But vaccination coverage rates for the elderly vary considerably in the EU, ranging from 2 percent in Lithuania to 80 percent in the Netherlands.

    The proposal needs approval from EU member states and the European Parliament. The commission hopes the measure can be adopted later this year.

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