MULTIPLE mass vaccination centres across south Essex have now “paused” the rollout of the jab due to a shortage of vaccines.

Both the Runnymede Hall vaccine centre in Thundersley and the vaccine hub at the Cliffs Pavilion in Southend will be shut from today.

Runnymede Hall will not re-open until May 4 while the Cliffs Pavilion is aiming to re-open for more vaccines on Monday.

Bosses at the Essex Partnership University Trust, which is heading the vaccine rollout, confirmed individual sites being put on “pause” is standard procedure depending on the availability of vaccines.

Castle Point council leader, Jeffrey Stanley, said he trusts the decision of NHS bosses to temporarily close the Runnymede Hall site with the vaccine rollout proving a success so far.

He said: “I think the rollout is going well.

“The people I speak to are all happy with how it’s going.

“We know from experience now that it’s running smoothly but it would always be better if it can be done quicker.

“I’m sure that we can trust the health service that deliver the vaccination programme the best way possible.

“If the health service say they need to close the vaccination centre for supplies then I trust that.”

While Ron Woodley, deputy leader at Southend Council, insisted residents shouldn’t be worried by the short closure of the Cliffs Pavilion.

He said: “I think we all know the NHS and the vaccine rollout have done a tremendous job.

“If they have got a shortage of vaccines then they have done the right thing of closing until the vaccine comes in.

“I hope people won’t worry about it and that it’s good planning ahead.”

A letter, which was sent to vaccination centres across the country by Emily Lawson, chief commercial officer and SRO vaccine programme said: “Revised vaccine supply is likely to result in a reduction in workforce demand in hospital hubs and vaccination centres.

“Our vaccination delivery programme was designed to be flexible, scaled up and diversified in line with fluctuating international vaccine supplies.”

It comes as residents were also turned away from their appointments at Basildon’s George Hurd centre.

A spokesperson for the NHS in mid and south Essex said: “We were aware of some issues at the George Hurd Centre, Nevendon, where patients had turned up for their second dose and found the centre not open, despite attempts to contact them to alter the date.

“The issue is now being resolved with residents being contacted again to re-book the appointment.”