Two flu clinics planned for Brightingsea and Alresford have been cancelled due to “unforeseen road freight challenges” affecting GP surgeries across the country.

The cancellations come just days after the Colne Medical Centre announced that it would be starting flu vaccinations in the run-up to winter – and the practice has warned that other scheduled clinics will only go ahead provided there are no further transport delays.

Patients who were booked in for a jab in Brightlingsea on September 11 and in Alresford on September 15 will now be contacted and offered another appointment.

The remaining clinics scheduled to take place in Brightlingsea are:

• Saturday 25th September @ The Parish Hall
• Saturday 16th October @ The Parish Hall, Victoria Place
• Thursday 30th September @ Colne Medical Centre
• Saturday 2nd October @ Colne Medical Centre

The practice says that vaccinations must be booked in advance. All appointments are available to book online via online services/NHS App. Alternatively call the Colne Medical Centre on 01206 302522 after 2pm. For more info regarding the NHS app visit www.nhs.uk/nhs-app/.

Those eligible for the flu vaccine this year are:

• 50 and over (including those who’ll be 50 by March 31, 2022)
• Have certain health conditions
• Are pregnant
• Are in long-stay residential care
• Receive a carer’s allowance, or are the main carer for an older or disabled person who may be at risk if the carer becomes sick
• People who live with someone who is more likely to get infections (such as someone who has HIV, has had a transplant or is having certain treatments for cancer, lupus or Rheumatoid arthritis)
• Frontline health or social care workers

Housebound residents should contact the practice and arrangements will be made for vaccinations at home. Clinics for two and three year-olds will be added once vaccine delivery dates are confirmed.