The Government is urging people at risk - mainly the elderly and frail - to go to their doctor and get a flu jab.

Yet when Vincent Talbot from Saltdean went to his local surgery, he was told one would not be available for at least a month.

As Vincent is 84 and frail, his wife Jean made sure he got one by going privately and paying for it.

But other old people in the Saltdean area may not be so lucky. They could get a dose of flu, with potentially serious results, before the vaccine arrives.

An explanation is needed as to why the vaccine is not there and NHS chiefs must ensure it does not happen again.