PATIENTS have raised concerns after a GP surgery could not supply them with flu jabs.

The Hawkesbury Road GP surgery on Canvey has reportedly had to turn away patients after it did not have enough flu jabs to administer to residents.

David Vos, 70, of Holbek Road said he had two appointments cancelled on September 27 and October 10 because of a shortage of jabs.

He said: “In the morning before my appointment at 10.50, I had a call telling me there were no flu jabs available again and I should call back to book my appointment in November.

“I’m getting very concerned about the situation.

“I would expect the surgery to be a little more transparent about it.

“It has been on the news a lot lately that people aged 60 and over should be given priority but there just does not seem to be a lot of urgency.

“I can understand having a shortage once but having it again and then saying call in November, I cannot really trust them.

Tricia D’Orsi, chief nurse for NHS Castle Point and Rochford CCG and NHS Southend CCG said a "small number"of surgeries in Castle Point are ordering more vaccines.

She said: "We are assured that there are enough vaccines being made available at local pharmacists or through clinics at GP practices.

"Our priority is to encourage all those ‘at-risk’ groups to ensure they get vaccinated as part of keeping well this winter.’"

More vaccines are expected to be delivered between October and November.

Simon Evans, locality director for NHS England Midlands and East encouraged residents to keep in touch with their practices to find out when the jabs will be available.

He said: “Getting vaccinated is really important for staying healthy over winter and we would encourage people in the eligible groups to get protected. This is people aged 65 or over, pregnant women, young children, and people with long term health conditions.

“We want to reassure the public that there will be enough vaccines for everyone who needs one in these groups."

The Echo contacted the Hawkesbury Road surgery for comment, however it did not reply before the paper went to print.