ONE flu clinic is operating slightly different this year with a drive-through service, in a bid to vaccinate a large number of people while protecting patients and staff from the spread of Covid-19.

Held at Henstridge Airfield, the drive-through clinic was launched on Monday by the Blackmore Vale Partnership, with a mission to vaccinate as many people as possible from the comfort of their own cars.

According to the partnership the clinic has taken months to plan with more than 10,000 people signed up for a vaccination.

The clinic is running this week until Friday, and then from September 21 to 25, between 9am and 12noon and 1pm and 4pm.

Appointments must be booked before arriving onsite, and patients are asked to wear a face covering and short-sleeved top.

Volunteers and residents have taken to social media to show their appreciation for the new service, including Dorset Councillor Jane Somper, who said she was “so impressed with the smooth running of the drive-through flu clinic”.

In a post on Twitter she added: “[There has been] so many positive comments from the hundreds of those visiting. You’ve done a great job, an amazing team effort.”

The Blackmore Vale Partnership, made up of Abbey View Medical Centre, Fontmell Magna, Sturminster Newton Medical Centre and Marnhull Surgery, has been approached for comment.