It is fast approaching the last opportunity for many of the 1.2 million at risk Australian’s to visit their doctor for the flu vaccine.

“It is important to get it done,” NSW Central West Division of General Practice immunisation officer Marise Storm said.

“Especially for the elderly and people with chronic illness,

“It is a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease that kills the same number of people as die on the roads every year.”

People with chronic disease such as heart disease, diabetes or asthma are 40 times more likely to catch influenza and those with both heart and lung disease are 800 times more likely to be infected.

Ms Storm said anyone yet to have the vaccination should contact their GP before the winter influenza outbreak hits.

Greater Western Area Health Service is also reminding people to get their shots but with an eye to the younger members of the community.

Child and Family Health nurse manager Anna Roth said vaccination protected individuals and but also raised the immunity level of the general community.

Child and family health nurses from Orange Community Health run monthly vaccination clinics for children aged from none to four years old.

“We would like to make local parents aware that we have recently changed the venue for our clinics and just remind them to bring along their medicare care and their child’s personal health record,” Ms Roth said.

Clinics will now be held at Orange Community Health, 129 Sale Street, between 2pm and 6pm on the third Wednesday of every month.

No appointments are necessary and parents can also have their children immunised by the GP.