Thousands missed their jabs on Sunday as several vaccination centres were forced to close because of severe weather brought by Storm Darcy. 

Storm Darcy has brought ‘bitterly cold’ strong winds from Ukraine and the Black Sea area, leading to amber snow warnings being issued until Monday in London, the East, and South-East.

In Colchester, Essex, an NHS vaccination centre at the Jobserve Community Stadium was closed because of the heavy snow. 

Similarly, the Suffolk GP Federation closed several of its vaccination sites at 12pm, including Trinity Park in Ipswich, the Community Centre in Debenham, Woodbridge Community Hall and The Mix in Stowmarket.

Organisers ruled that the snow was too unsafe for people – including many elderly patients – to attempt the trip. They will now have to try to fix another date for their long-awaited jab.

Elderly residents due to attend other places for their jabs were also advised not to travel unless they ‘felt confident’ in the freezing conditions.

The GP federation has asked patients to rearrange their appointment through the My Health Book site if necessary – but told them not to ring the booking service. Those without internet have been told the federation will be in touch to rearrange their jabs.

Anyone with an appointment booked at a site run by the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System (ICS) can rearrange them by using the national booking service, using the ‘manage my appointment’ function.

Lisa Nobes, director of nursing at the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System, told people to put their own safety first during the week ahead.

She said: ‘People should attend their appointments if they feel safe in doing so but please take great care on the roads, wear sensible footwear and wrap-up warm.

‘However, if you don’t feel confident about travelling because of the conditions please don’t put yourself at risk.’

There are fears there could be more disruption to the programme this week, with more snow forecast over the coming days. This could put the vaccine rollout at risk of falling behind.

Southeastern Rail strongly advised passengers not to attempt to travel on its network on Sunday or Monday, and said the Maidstone East line would be closed until Monday. 

Met Office forecasters have also warned of ‘significant disruptive snowfall’ and gale-force winds in the south-east of England, with up to 30cm of snow possible in the Downs of Kent and the North Downs.

The amber warning states that Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and Medway are set to be hit by an ‘area of widespread, persistent and occasionally heavy snow’ through to Monday.

These areas can also expect ‘very strong easterly winds’ of 40-45 mph inland and  50-55 mph along north-east facing coasts. 

These gusts will also help drift any snow that has managed to lie. Monday will then see the snow turning more intermittent before ‘gradually easing’. 

Met Office meteorologist Sarah Kent said: ‘The air will be cold but it will not be as bitingly cold as it was back in 2018’, referring to the Beast from the East that brought widespread winds. 

Scotland and the north-east of England could see 2cm to 5cm of snow, with 10cm to 15cm possible in regions above 200m.

On Saturday evening Glasgow sent gritters to outlying priority routes and areas around vaccine centres in light of the ‘chilly’ time ahead.

Public Health England (PHE) has issued a cold weather alert for the whole of England through to Wednesday and urged people to check on frail or older neighbours or relatives, especially those living alone or who have serious illnesses.

PHE’s Dr Owen Landeg said: ‘Cold weather isn’t just uncomfortable, it can have a serious impact on health.

‘For older people and those with heart and lung problems, it can increase the risks of heart attacks, strokes and chest infections.’

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