Residents are being warned of a Covid-19 vaccination scam.

Some people are receiving suspicious calls and text messages offering the Covid-19 vaccine.

To protect yourself and your family from fraud and criminals, remember:

• The vaccine is only available on the NHS for free to people in priority groups and the NHS will contact you when it's your turn. Anyone offering a paid-for vaccine is committing a crime

• At the moment, the NHS is not making house calls to deliver or discuss the vaccine. Anyone offering this now is committing a crime.

The health and care systems are working together to deliver the Covid-19 vaccine to local people. Those who are most at risk will be invited to get their jab first.

The NHS will get in touch when it's your turn to be vaccinated.

Dr Karen Kirkham, local GP and clinical lead for the Dorset Covid-19 vaccination programme and assistant clinical director of NHS Dorset CCG, said: "It's really important that people are aware of how to protect themselves and their family members from fraud and follow the advice on how to do this.

"At the same time, we'd like to reassure local people in Dorset that the NHS will be in touch when it's your turn to be vaccinated. Please don't contact us to seek a vaccine. We will contact you. We hope this is helpful.

"We'd like to thank people in Dorset for their continued support."

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft, you should report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.

Where the victim is vulnerable, and particularly if you are worried that someone has or might come to your house, report it to the police online or by calling 101.