A LYME Regis doctor is campaigning to make sure people eligible for a free flu jab get one.

More than a quarter don’t take advantage of the jab every year and Dr Simon Stockley, national clinical lead for primary care at Virgin Care, which runs Lyme Regis Medical Centre wants to make sure that isn’t true this year.

He said flu occurs every winter in the UK and is a key factor in NHS winter pressures, so it is vital that people receive their free NHS flu jab from their local GP surgery to protect themselves from the risk of serious illness. The annual NHS vaccination programme begins in September.

Dr Stockley said: “A flu vaccine is the best protection against flu – an unpredictable virus which can cause unpleasant illness in children and severe illness and death among at-risk groups, including older people, pregnant women and those with an underlying medical health condition.”

Flu can be more severe in certain people, especially those aged 65 and over as well as children and adults with weakened immune systems.

Dr Stockley added: “Flu is not simply a bad cold. It can make some existing conditions worse and can lead to other conditions such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Last year alone 100 people tragically died of flu, which is why we believe it is important to get it done as early as possible.”

The NHS has recently expanded the flu vaccine to include more primary school aged children, and is hoping to increase vaccine uptake this year.

While some community pharmacies now offer flu vaccination, it can cost up to £13 and is subject to availability. Locals can access the vaccine for free at their local GP practice if they’re in one of the at-risk groups, aged two to seven years old or over 65.

Patients of Lyme Regis Medical Centre eligible for a free NHS flu jab, include children aged two to seven on 31 August 31, primary school-aged in former government primary school pilot areas, anyone from six months to under 65 years in clinical risk groups with serious medical conditions, such as and including asthma, diabetes, heart failure, neurological diseases, and those with a weakened immune , pregant women, overs 65s, long-stay residential care home residents

and carers

People will be able receive their jabs at Lyme Regis Medical Centre, Uplyme Road with flu clinics being held on Saturday September 24, 8.30am to 12pm, Saturday October1, 8.30am to 12pm and Saturday October 15, 8.30am to 12pm

The service is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6.30pm. For patients seeking more information or to book an appointment they can call the service on 0129 744 5777 or visit lymeregismedicalcentre.nhs.uk/ and virgincare.co.uk/service-hub/flu-clinics/.