Children and adults living with a long-term health condition are being urged to get a flu jab.

The NHS is urging patients who have chronic diseases like diabetes, asthma or a heart condition to have a free NHS flu vaccination.

Dr Ed Capo-Bianco, urgent care lead at Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “It’s very important that patients who have an underlying health condition don’t delay and have a free flu vaccination at their GP practice or a pharmacist.”

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He added: "Healthy individuals usually recover within two to seven days from flu, but for some, especially those with a long term condition the illness can lead to a stay in hospital, permanent disability or even death.”

Patients with the following conditions are eligible for the free flu vaccine: heart problem; chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or severe asthma; kidney disease; lowered immunity; liver disease; stroke or transient ischaemic attack, diabetes, neurological condition e.g. multiple sclerosis; morbid obesity; cerebral palsy, or a learning disability.

Others eligible for an NHS flu vaccination are those aged over 65, pregnant women, primary school pupils and children aged 2 and 3 years old.