HEALTH bosses are warning Dorset residents about a scam offering people the Covid-19 vaccine.

A number of people have received suspicious calls and text messages offering them the Covid vaccine. This is a scam - the NHS will contact people directly when it is their turn to be vaccinated.

The NHS will never ask you to press a button on your keypad or send a text to confirm you want the vaccine, and never ask for payment of your bank details.

Currently, the NHS is not making house calls to deliver or discuss the vaccine.

Dr Karen Kirkham, GP and clinical lead for the Dorset Covid-19 vaccination programme and assistant clinical director of NHS Dorset CCG, said: "It's really important that people are aware of how to protect themselves and their family members from fraud and follow the advice on how to do this.

"At the same time, we'd like to provide reassure to local people in Dorset that the NHS will be in touch when it's your turn to be vaccinated.

"Please don't contact us to seek a vaccine. We will contact you. We hope this is helpful. We'd like to thank people in Dorset for their continued support."

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft, report it directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.