Fight against 'early flu wave' under way in Surrey

Roughly 180,000 people eligible for a flu vaccine in Surrey are yet to come forward

A woman from Surrey is joining health leaders in urging people to book their flu vaccination "as soon as possible" to fight an early wave of the illness.

As of Sunday, more than 241,000 people in Surrey had already received their vaccination but it is estimated that about 180,000 eligible people in the county had yet to come forward.

The call comes as NHS leaders warn that an early flu wave could lead to "a long and challenging winter for health services".

Debbie, a resident from east Surrey, said: "It only takes a few minutes, is pain-free and gives me real peace of mind.

"I'd really encourage anyone who's eligible to book theirs as soon as possible. It's such an easy way to protect yourself and your loved ones."

The UK Health Security Agency published data last week saying it had seen a 2.9% rise in reported cases of flu compared with the same time last year.

This early increase has sparked fears flu could soon spread into the wider population, triggering a "long and drawn-out flu season".

Dr Charlotte Canniff, joint chief medical officer for NHS Surrey Heartlands and a GP in West Surrey, said: "Flu can be serious for many people, particularly those who are older, pregnant or have existing health conditions.

"Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and those around you from becoming seriously unwell.

"The vaccine is safe, quick and effective, and by getting it, you're helping to keep yourself well and reduce pressure on our local NHS services this winter."

So far, more than 12.2 million flu vaccines have been delivered across England this autumn.