AT risk patients across north Essex have been told it has never been more important to get their flu jab.

Health professionals are urging vulnerable people who are eligible for the vaccination to ensure they get one.

This year there will be a change to the way it is delivered as health teams need to factor in social distancing and infection prevention measures.

Some GP practices may be offering drive-through appointments at community centres or village halls, and practices will be contacting those eligible by letter, telephone or text to offer specific time appointments rather than the usual drop-in sessions.

Nurse Pat Barnes, who helped out at a flu clinic at West Bergholt surgery, said it was vitally important patients got the vaccination.

She said: “I’ve been a nurse for 40 years and everything is certainly more difficult this year because of social distancing our patients and having to continually clean everything after each patient has been in, but we have all the right measures in place.

“The surgery is actually one of the safest places to come to at the moment and these flu vaccinations are life-saving.

“Flu can kill and our vulnerable groups do not want to be at risk of catching both the flu and Covid-19 at the same time.”

“We can protect them against one of these potentially deadly viruses and we urge everyone who is offered a vaccine to come and have it done.”

Patient Grant Freeman was one of the first to get his flu jab.

He said: “I have asthma so am at risk from the flu.

“I think the safety protocols at the surgery are excellent and social distancing is being maintained.

“As long as the right precautions are taken there’s no need to worry about coming to the doctors to have your flu jab and it’s certainly all being done very well here.”

The vaccine won’t stop all flu viruses but those who do catch flu will experience milder and shorter-lived symptoms.

Dr Hasan Chowhan, a GP in Colchester and chairman of NHS North East Essex Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We’ve been planning hard to ensure we’re able to deliver an effective flu vaccination programme this year. I urge people not to contact their surgery. Please wait until you are contacted. Don’t worry, we will be in touch.”