The public will soon be able to obtain government purchased flu vaccines free of cost, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said Tuesday. The CDC advised that children and the elderly, who are on the priority list, should get inoculated this week. The doses of vaccines that remain after the vulnerable groups have been inoculated are being distributed to the wider public, without any age or other restrictions, starting Dec. 1, said CDC Deputy Director-General Lin Ting. 'Of the 2.99 million flu vaccines purchased this year, more than 2.13 million have been given to high risk and vulnerable groups,' Lin said. The CDC defines vulnerable groups as senior citizens over the age of 65, children from six months old up to sixth grade, patients with serious illnesses or disease, medical personnel, and livestock breeders. 'Once the free program is extended to all citizens, the vaccines will be used up very quickly,' he said. However, he expressed concern about the low vaccination rate of 25 percent among children under 3 years of age, saying that it was only half of what was expected. Noting that three people died from the H3N2 flu virus last week, Lin reiterated that people in vulnerable groups should get the seasonal flu vaccine for protection against H3N2, H1N1 and influenza B, the three most rampant strains this year. According to CDC statistics, there have been 31 seasonal flu deaths this year since July, with 23 resulting from the H3N2 virus and eight from H1N1. Persons who wish to be vaccinated in December are advised to call their local health departments or designated clinics to ask about available doses. 