Suppliers of flu vaccine are failing to deliver to Oxfordshire GPs just as the flu season begins.

One surgery has pinned up a "red alert" notice warning patients that a drop-in clinic planned for next Tuesday has been cancelled.

Elsewhere, doctors are being forced to phone around to secure supplies of the vaccine after manufacturers ran out, faced with increased demand.

In Wantage, the Church Street practice was forced to use the red alert sign. A spokesman said there was not a shortage of vaccine but their supplier had not been able to make deliveries on time.

Tariq Malik, of Kidlington Health Centre, said there was a problem but his surgery was coping.

"One of the main suppliers couldn't deliver when they told us they could, so we have gone to another supplier," he said. Experts say the extra demand has been created by a change in legislation, which recommends everyone over the age of 75 should be vaccinated. Previously, the vaccination was only recommended to people with a medical condition.

Dr Richard Mayon White, consultant in public health for Oxfordshire Health Authority, said: "Manufacturers were asked to make more stock available by Government but with increased demand some GPs are now finding flu vaccine unavailable.

"It would be wrong to have a public scare. If companies are saying they can't take new orders then GPs should go elsewhere and maybe go back to their suppliers in a few weeks. I wouldn't say there was any danger to patients."

He said he expected manufacturers to meet the orders placed with them in the summer.

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