PEOPLE in Ludlow have been warned that they must not ignore letters inviting them to get a flu vaccination.

The vaccinations will be carried out throughout October and early November.

They are available to all people over the age of 65 and others with conditions that mean they are especially vulnerable will also be invited to get a jab.

Dr Caron Morton, from Station Drive Surgery in Ludlow, said that it is important that people who are called attend the clinic.

“This vaccination is for the annual influenza and will not protect against Covid-19,” said Dr Morton.

“However, it is very important as the flu can be a serious illness and even more so for people who might be unfortunate enough to get influenza and Covid-19.”

The vaccination is given each year because the flu virus mutates and therefore the 2019 inoculation may not protect against the strain this year.

Ludlow MP and former health minister Philip Dunne says that people who have influenza together with Covid-19 are twice as likely to die as people who just get Covid.

Vaccinations are available to: all primary school children, and, for the first time, Year 7 children.

• Two- and three year-olds.

• The most vulnerable people, including adults aged 65 and over, those with long-term health conditions and pregnant women.

• Household contacts of people on the NHS Shielded Patient List and all health and social care workers who have direct contact with the people they care for.

It is intended that 30 million people, almost half the population of the UK will be offered a flu vaccine this year.