DOCTORS are urging 'at risk' Dorset residents to get vaccinated against flu.

Every year the NHS offers a free vaccination against flu to people who are considered to be at risk of developing potentially serious complications, such as pneumonia.

These include people aged 65 or over, all pregnant women, some young children, people living in residential care homes and people with a variety of serious medical conditions.

NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group's Simon Watkins said: "As a GP I sometimes speak to people who may have concerns about the vaccination and for anyone having second thoughts I would reassure them that side effects are very rare and normally just leave you with a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days after having the jab.

"Strains of flu change from year to year, and therefore the jab also changes from year to year to reflect this, offering protection against those strains that are most likely to be harmful. So even if you have had the jab in the past I would urge you to take up the offer of a vaccination this year, particularly if you are considered at risk.

"For people that are otherwise fit and healthy, there is usually no need to see a doctor for flu-like symptoms.

"The best remedy is to rest at home, keep warm and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Be prepared as winter approaches and if you can, take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower a high temperature and relieve aches."

The plea comes weeks after Public Health England revealed that the flu jab proved effective for just one in three adults who received it last winter.

The success rate proved to be considerably better than first suspected, with PHE warning at the time that the jab was only three per cent effective, but it is still lower than a typical effectiveness rate of 50 per cent in the past.

The problem was caused by a change in the dominant circulating strain of the influenza virus, the agency said, reiterating that the vaccine remains the best available protection against the virus.

Details of local flu clinics at GP practices are available via the locality pages of the NHS Dorset CCG website www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk.

For more information on 'at risk' groups visit www.nhs.uk/flu.