A top south London GP has issued a stark warning to young people over the impact Covid-19 could have on their summer as she urged anyone over 18 to get vaccinated against the virus.

Dr Nicola Jones urged unvaccinated people to get the jab and protect their family and friends, as she pointed out that post-Covid syndrome can have a "lasting and debilitating" effect on people of all ages.

Her plea followed Public Health England (PHE) Chief Professor Chris Whitty's assertion that soaring case rates in the amid the spread of the highly infectious Delta variant of the virus would mean increasing numbers of people would suffer post-Covid syndrome or 'long-Covid', with unvaccinated people most at risk.

Speaking on Tuesday, Dr Jones, who is a GP in Wandsworth, said:

"We all know that getting jabbed helps people protect their family, friends and community as we get back to normal life and the things we love – whether that is watching sport in a packed stadium, going to a club or returning to the office.

"Post Covid syndrome can have a lasting and debilitating impact on people of all ages, irrespective of the seriousness of the initial symptoms and many saying it has a significant impact on their daily life.

"The vaccine represents the best defence against this awful virus and with summer fast approaching, if you haven’t yet been vaccinated for whatever reason, I would urge you to make it a priority – it has never been easier to get protected, with walk-in clinics for first and second doses open across south west London.

"Please don’t let Covid-19 ruin your summer."

Post Covid syndrome is when people who have had Covid-19 have persistent symptoms beyond the initial infection.

The most commonly reported symptoms, according to the NHS website include breathlessness, coughs, headaches, extreme tiredness, dizziness and ‘brain fog’ – loss of concentration or memory issues.

Last month the NHS announced that it is setting up a specialist post Covid services for children and young people as part of a £100 million expansion of care for those suffering from the condition.

It came after NHS England provided £10 million for a network of 69 clinics to give people access to specialist help.

So far, some 1.6 million people have been jabbed in south west London with at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

For information about vaccination walk-ins and pop-ups in south west London click here.