HUNDREDS of elderly people in Darlington have had their flu jabs cancelled after a surgery ran out of the vaccine.

Denmark Street Surgery has sent letters to 600 patients telling them they will have to re-book their appointments towards the end of the month, due to a delay from the vaccine manufacturer.

Don Elgie, 75, from the Eastbourne area, booked an appointment at the surgery a month ago and received a letter last week cancelling his appointment.

He said: "Last week, I was sent a letter saying the surgery was cancelling my appointment due to a shortage of the vaccine.

"The letter said they were expecting another delivery later in the month and I would need to book another appointment.

"When I asked if I would be made a priority to have another booking I was told no, because there were around 600 people in the same position."

A spokeswoman from the surgery confirmed the letters were sent.

She said: "It is not the case that we haven't had any vaccine. We took delivery of some, but it started to run out after many people booked appointments.

"We already had made orders to get some more, but there have been delays from the manufacturer's side.

"We expect to have more vaccine on November 17 and will make new appointments for those people whose bookings were cancelled. In the letters, we did apologise for the inconvenience caused, but the shortage is out of our hands."

There has been a surge of people wanting the vaccination across the borough compared to last year.

Darlington Primary Care Trust fears the increase is due to people falsely believing it will protect them against other illnesses, such as bird flu, and this could have caused a strain in supplies.

A trust spokesman said: "At one surgery, where 100 people were predicted to book appointments, 800 were made. There has been a dramatic increase and although it is important elderly people receive a flu vaccination, we must stress it only covers against flu."