A HEALTH chief has urged people to have the flu jab after a surge in the number of cases of the illness.

Lancashire and South Cumbria’s medical director Dr Kieran Murphy said at-risk groups including the elderly and those with long-term conditions, should get themselves vaccinated.

The calls come as the amount of people experiencing flu symptoms in Lancashire and across the country continues to rise.

Public Health England figures show that the number of people across Lancashire and South Cumbria going to see their GP with flu symptoms has doubled over the past two weeks, with the highest rates among people aged over 25.

Nationally, there were 35 more deaths from flu last week and 120 people have died of flu-related symptoms since early October, compared with 45 in the same period in 2016-17.

So far over 117,000 people in at-risk groups have been vaccinated across Lancashire and South Cumbria - but 127,000 individuals under 65 in at-risk groups are yet to be vaccinated

Dr Murphy, medical director for NHS England Lancashire and South Cumbria, said the vaccination remains the ‘best possible protection’ against the flu virus.

He said: “For the majority of people flu is an unpleasant illness, but they should start to feel better within seven days.

“The problem for people with long-term conditions is that they are more susceptible to complications if they catch the flu virus, because they have weakened immune systems.

“This means that a bout of flu could turn quickly in to a serious infection, such as bronchitis or pneumonia, which can cause longer-term damage to the lungs – and unfortunately some people end up in critical care in hospital.

“Unfortunately at the moment we’re seeing a rise in the number of people admitted to hospital as a result of catching the flu.

“It is encouraging that so many people have already been vaccinated and this will help to control the outbreak, however we know some people have still not had their flu vaccine.

“My message to them is to have it as soon as possible, because it remains the best possible protection against the flu virus.”

People in at-risk groups can have the vaccine free of charge, including those aged 65 years or over, pregnant women, and individuals with certain chronic conditions.

They have been asked to speak to their GP for advice on booking an appointment to have the flu jab.