ELDERLY people in Upton have not had flu jabs because of a vaccine shortage.

Residents in the Graftons and Thomas Morris House, who are defined as at risk, remain unprotected as the local GP surgery awaits new supplies of the vaccine.

Norman Thomas, aged 100, of the Graftons, is among those still without his jab.

"I was talking to one of the doctors this week and he said they didn't get the number of vaccines they'd ordered. They're expecting some more in January," he said.

Tim Dance's mother Mary, 82, lives near the Graftons and usually has her flu jab at the same time as its residents.

"Normally the community nurse comes up to the Graftons and gives them all the jab, but it didn't happen this year," he said. "The doctors said they'd run out, but why couldn't they put the right number of jabs on one side? They know it happens every year."

Dr George Wilson, from the School Lane surgery, said they were awaiting a further 150 flu jabs.

"There's a big panic about flu this year, particularly because of bird flu. We haven't been able to get as many as we had last year but we're hoping to get some more," he said.

Janet Ferguson, of South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, said 10 of its 31 GP practices were waiting for contingency supplies from the Department of Health, due in the middle of December. They include Court Road, Avenue Road and Link End in Malvern, along with Knightwick and Tenbury.