Health minister John Denham has concluded negotiations with the British Medical Association over payments for flu immunisations this year. GPs will receive a special payment of £6.45 for every jab administered to a patient over 65, as well as the normal £1.65 fee.

It is the first time that GPs have been given special payments for flu immunisation and follows claims from family doctors that the government's drive to increase take-up would fail unless payments were made.