DOZENS of patients failed to turn up for their Covid jab, prompting a warning from NHS bosses.

The Church View Surgery and the Jones Family Practice, in Hockley, saw a whopping 32 patients all fail to attend their jab appointments on Saturday, despite all being booked in advance.

The surgery, off Rayleigh High Street, has now urged patients to warn them in advance if “unforeseen circumstances” arise.

Council bosses have slammed those who didn’t turn up, and warned they are “taking the jab away from others.”

The surgery was forced to ring other patients in a bid to fill the empty appointments.

A spokesman said: “We had another successful vaccine clinic on Saturday. Unfortunately we have also had 32 people fail to attend their appointment.

“We were able to call the next people on the priority list. However this causes unnecessary and extra work for our staff.”

The latest figures show that across Basildon and Brentwood, more than 112,000 doses of the jab have been administered.

The numbers sit at 87,869 for Castle Point and Rochford, and 81,937 for Southend.

Simon Wooton, leader of Rochford Council, said: “It’s really disappointing.

“They could be taking the jab away from people.

“It creates unnecessary work for the NHS, who have already been working really hard.”

The spokesman from the surgery added: “We appreciate that there are occasions when unforeseen circumstances arise, however if you are unable to attend a pre-booked appointment for your vaccine we would appreciate you letting us know and I’m sure the next people waiting on the list would too!

“Thank you to everyone who attended.”

This comes as lockdown officially ended in England on Monday, with families and friends able to meet up in private gardens in groups of up to six.

More than half of the adult population across the UK has had the first dose of the Covid vaccine.

Around 30 million people have now been jabbed across the country.

Cheryl Roe, the deputy leader of Rochford Council, added: “I got really emotional when I had my jab. It’s that first step to freedom

“Everyone is desperate to have their Covid jab, so to have people not turn up is totally irresponsible.

“I’m so proud of all the staff who have been working on the vaccine rollout. They’ve been doing an amazing job.

“They don’t need this extra work on top of it.”