Cantabrians are being urged to take extra precautions this flu season to save lives.

The latest numbers from the Canterbury District Health Board show eight people have died due of flu complications.

All had pre-existing conditions.

Immunisation Advisory Centre chair Dr Nikki Turner says it's especially important to be vaccinated if you have a compromised immune system.

"Often, they themselves do not respond well to the flu vaccine, so other people around them should also be vaccinated to protect them. If we're sick, we should stay at home and stop spreading flu around the community."

Turner says it's also especially important for pregnant women and people over 65 to get vaccinated.

She says this year's flu is a particularly aggressive strain, but 55,000 new vaccines have just been bought in by the Government.

"We understand that our fridges in general practices are now getting more flu vaccines. It is very late to be vaccinated, but better late than ever. So if you haven't had a flu vaccine now, come and get one."