LONG queues and delays for pensioners getting their Covid vaccines have been “ironed out”.

Pictures from the Covid-19 vaccination centre at the Belle Vue Baptist Church on Belle Vue Avenue on Saturday showed the large numbers of people waiting in line to receive their jab.

Concerns were raised about how long some of the elderly recipients were having to wait - with reports that some people were taking up to two hours from start to finish.

There were also fears there was limited social distancing during the day.

But Labour councillor Matt Dent, of Kursaal ward, said he had been told of the concerns and believed the situation had improved by Sunday.

Mr Dent said: “I know One Love [Soup Kitchen] did an excellent job of tending to people waiting, and the stewards, I think they did a fantastic job.

“I am waiting for a full update from Public Health but by Sunday it was resolved.

“Residents going to vaccinations now shouldn’t be concerned that they will see those issues.

“We have never done anything like this before.

“The important thing is these are being addressed quickly.

“I never think there’s an issue with making mistakes, but when the same mistake get made that’s an issue.”

The news comes as a total of 700 people have now died from Covid-19 in Basildon Hospital, with one more death recorded on Saturday, and a total of 550 at Southend Hospital.

The Southend Clinical Commissioning Group has also urged residents to “do their bit” in helping the vaccines being administered.

It said the NHS staff were doing an “incredible job” with the vaccine rollout.

The group urged people not to contact the NHS for a vaccine, as it will contact residents to offer them.

People have been advised to attend appointments exactly when they’re allotted to avoid more queues appearing.

The group added people should still follow social distancing guidance even after having the vaccine to control the spread.