HEALTH officials are encouraging people at risk to get their free flu jabs. The local Primary Care Trusts are promoting a campaign to ensure those residents who are at risk from flu book an appointment for a vaccination at their GP surgery.

Those at risk include anyone with asthma, diabetes, a chronic heart, chest or kidney condition or any other serious illness, people who live in a long stay residential or nursing home as well as those aged 65 and over.

The vaccination takes two minutes and is safe, painless and effective.

Dr Pamela Akerman, director of public health in West Wiltshire, said: "Flu is an unpleasant experience for anybody but for some it can lead to more serious illness, including bronchitis or pneumonia and could result in hospitalisation or even death.

"After a series of mild winters it is easy to be complacent about the threat of flu but few people realise that between 3,000 and 4,000 deaths are attributable to the complications of flu each year. The influenza virus is always changing so last year's vaccine won't protect you."