PEOPLE with long-term health conditions have been warned to protect themselves from flu this year.

Commissioners have warned some health conditions put people more at risk and that these groups are eligible for free winter flu vaccines.

They include people with asthma, diabetes and chronic heart disease.

Pregnant women, those aged 65 and over and children aged between two and nine years old are also eligible.

The flu virus can cause a sudden high temperature, headache, general aches and pains, tiredness, sore throat and coughing

A loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhoea, exhaustion and a general feeling of unwell are other symptoms.

Dr Pervez Muzaffar, a clinical lead at Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire CCGs, said: "For individuals in these at risk groups who still haven’t had their vaccine it is vital to take this seriously and act now.”

“The flu vaccination is safe and cannot give people the flu as it does not contain live viruses but it can take up to three weeks to work so don’t delay.”

“We have seen an increase in the flu vaccine uptake last year and hope this trend continues to protect the community from flu."

People can contact their GP surgery to book a flu vaccine or visit www.nhs.uk/Service-Search to find a pharmacy.”