A HEALTH body has apologised after hundreds of patients at a doctor’s surgery were ordered to have their flu jabs re-done due to a “procedural error”.

Around 400 people have been asked to return to Kelvedon and Feering Health Centre to have a new vaccination.

It is understood previous flu vaccines given to patients were stored in a fridge which was at the incorrect temperature.

The Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group said there is no risk to those who had the vaccines but some will need to have a new jab.

A spokesman said: “The health centre has been working with us and Public Health England to identify why the fridge temperature rose above the required temperature and how to prevent it happening again.

“The practice has contacted all the patients affected and there is no clinical risk to them. We are sorry for inconvenience caused by the error, as some people will need a repeat vaccination.

“Public Health England is satisfied that the practice met all reporting requirements and took prompt action when they realised the problem, including extra staff training and updated procedures.

“As always, we will share learning from the incident to reduce the risk of this happening in future.”

The health centre took on hundreds of new patients in July when it merged with Brimpton House Surgery, also in Kelvedon.

District councillor Jenny Sandum said the error with the flu jabs is one of a number of problems encountered by patients since the merger was finalised.

She said: “We have been having meetings with the CCG and surgery, along with parish and county councillors, about the concerns which have been raised since the merger.

“There have also been issues with the phone lines and prescriptions being sent to pharmacies.

“The surgery is listening and has said it will tighten its procedures.

“They are looking to bring in a new phone system and have lots of ideas but I think patients just want to see the basics done right first.”