'Flu ruined our Christmas - get your vaccine'

Rebecca and her daughter Astrid became very unwell with flu last year

A family who said their Christmas was "ruined" by flu are urging others to get their vaccine to avoid being hospitalised.

Rebecca Pettitt, from Taunton, Somerset, caught flu from her daughter Astrid last Christmas and passed it onto her elderly mother, who then spent five weeks in hospital.

The NHS in Somerset is urging eligible people to get their vaccine as soon as possible so it is effective over the festive period.

"We're quite concerned, this year we are seeing three times the number of people with flu at this point compared to last year," said Dr Robert Weaver, GP and deputy chief medical officer at NHS Somerset.

Mrs Pettitt's family had been vaccinated, but fell ill before it was most effective.

She said her flu symptoms felt like "being hit by a truck".

"Everything ached, I was sweating, had a headache," she said.

Mrs Pettitt said her mother Jill also developed the same symptoms and was admitted to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton on Boxing Day.

"She couldn't even sip water. She looked grey, really fragile," she said.

Dr Weaver added: "It does take a few weeks to have an effect so the earlier people get it the better."

According to the NHS, your flu symptoms will be milder and not last as long if you are vaccinated.

Dr Robert Weaver said more people are becoming seriously unwell with flu this year

People over-65, have a long-term health condition, are pregnant or live or work with someone who is vulnerable are eligible for the flu jabs.

"Flu can vary each year but particularly this year it seems to be arriving earlier," Dr Weaver added.

"Last year we saw about 1,800 people admitted to hospital with flu in Somerset.

"So we really want people to get their flu vaccine as soon as possible."