CRUCIAL flu vaccine clinics planned at two Basildon GP surgeries have been cancelled, with the finger pointed at a shortage of delivery drivers.

The NHS is planning a huge rollout of flu jabs as autumn rapidly approaches and the vulnerable are at increased risk of catching an illness.

However, a national shortage of drivers is holding up getting jabs into arms with proposed flu jab clinics being cancelled.

Two surgeries, the Langdon Hills Medical Centre and Southview Park, in Vange, have now been forced to cancel flu jab clinics as a result.

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The clinics, planned for September 18 and September 25 have not yet been rescheduled with GPs waiting for more information before committing to new dates.

Kerry Smith, councillor of the Nethermayne ward, said: “The Government really needs to get a grip on this.

“It’s like the blind leading the blind at the moment.

“We’ve got a shortage in drivers, but nothing is being done about it.

“Drivers have moved on to better paid jobs to earn their crust elsewhere.

“Wages need to improve for people to get back into it.

“Hard nosed bosses have had it their own way for a while, and we’re seeing the impact of low wages over several years.”

Seqirus, one of the UK’s largest suppliers of seasonal flu vaccines confirmed there will be a delay in jab deliveries.

The company has told customers and patients it could take up to two weeks to solve the issue.

Bosses at the two surgeries, which are linked, said it was “working hard to resolve the delay”.

A spokesman from the two surgeries, said: “Due to unforeseen challenges, there has been a delay to deliveries of the flu vaccine.

“Therefore, unfortunately, the walk-in flu clinics on Saturday September 18 and Saturday September 25, at both Langdon Hills Medical Centre and Southview Park surgeries have had to be cancelled.

“This also applies to any pre-booked flu clinic appointments which will need to be rescheduled.

“We will give an update regarding new clinic dates as soon as we are able.”