Kingston University Health Centre failed to contact students in high risk groups to tell them that they are eligible for a swine flu vaccination.

Asthmatics represent the highest risk group amongst students. The NHS say that patients who have had drug treatment for asthma in the past three years are at high risk from the virus and should receive a vaccine. However, the Health Centre has not been able to get in touch with all these students.

Amanda Legg, Practice Administrator, said: "We texted about 150 patients, every single one on our list, but some of the messages bounced back as we did not have up to date information."

"People can make an appointment to come in - we run a clinic every Wednesday."

Elise Johannessen, a first year asthmatic international student, caught swine flu on her way home to Norway and missed seven days of lectures.

She said: "Doctors in Norway contacted me about the vaccine by email and called my dad, but I didn't receive anything from Kingston."

"I signed up for the NHS at the International Students Welcome Centre on arrival and registered at the Fairhill Practice. We should have got a mass email, but all I have seen is a hygiene poster, never anything about the vaccine."

Antonino Bianco, a second year Chemistry student with asthma, said: "I saw it on StudySpace, but I didn't receive anything personally."

Alex Walsh, an asthmatic who is temping at the University, said: "If I had received an email I would have gone and got the vaccination here."

Nationwide, only 2.3m of the 9m in high risk groups have had the vaccination, despite two-thirds of all deaths from swine flu coming in this group.

Aislinn Rowe, a first year Psychology and Drama student with asthma, said: "I am not really that bothered, I don't think of swine flu as a big deal."

High risk groups eligible for vaccination also include: those with compromised immune systems, diabetes, chronic heart, liver, lung, kidney, or neurological diseases, pregnant women, children under five, and adults over 65.