HEALTH officials in the south west are urging everyone eligible for a free flu vaccine and Covid-19 booster to take up the offer as soon as possible.

Ahead of what could be a difficult winter with respiratory viruses circulating widely, the UK Health Security Agency says it is “vital” people in the high-risk category to get both jabs.

In addition to a predicted flu wave, officials have early indications that Covid-19 rates are beginning to rise ahead of winter.

Professor Dominic Mellon, UKHSA south west regional deputy director, said: “Both flu and Covid-19 can cause serious illness and hospitalisation and this winter they will be circulating together. This along with lower levels of natural immunity will mean that it’s particularly vital to get vaccinated, especially if you’re in a higher risk group.

“Undoubtedly the best protection we have is to get vaccinated. The jabs are there to protect you and the rest of your family from a potentially very serious illness this winter and so I urge all those eligible in the south west to come forward and have their jabs when offered.”

There was record uptake of the flu jab in people aged 65 and over in 2021/22 at 82 per cent, though there was lower uptake among people in clinical risk groups and pregnant women.