PEOPLE suffering from underlying health conditions in Bridgwater will be offered the vaccination against swine flu this week.

GPs from surgeries around the town will be contacting priority patients to invite them to receive the injection.

The priority group will include patients with diabetes, breathing problems, chest and lung conditions, those who have received transplants, people having cancer treatment and pregnant women.

A nationwide immunisation programme against the virus, which has so far killed more than 100 people in the UK, was launched last week for health and social care workers and seriously ill patients in hospital.

Paul Courtney, NHS South-West communications manager, said: “It is important the risk of swine flu is reduced.

“Hospital and health service staff will be encouraged to receive swine flu vaccination to ensure these services continue to run.”

He added: “The South-West has a low level of reported swine flu cases so some people may ask if there is any point in receiving the vaccination, however it is likely that many more cases will be reported in the winter months.”

Dr Mark Salter, of the Dorset and Somerset Health Protection Agency, stressed this week that those who are “fit and well” will not be vaccinated in the next month.

He said: “The joint vaccination and immunisation committee in this country is now considering to roll it out to those less susceptible to it when more becomes available.”