ASTRAZENECA has said its supply of the Covid jab in the UK is “not experiencing any disruption” – after the NHS warned of a dip in supplies from the end of March.
NHS England today said there had been “reductions in national inbound vaccines supply” and asked organisations to ensure no further appointments were uploaded to booking systems in April.
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NHS bosses said that as a result, people under the age of 50 should only get the jab if they are in a priority group for the vaccine.
But the reasons for the slowdown remain unclear, as Astrazeneca said this evening: “Our UK domestic supply chain is not experiencing any disruption and there is no impact on our delivery schedule.”
It came after Health secretary Matt Hancock earlier warned that supply will always be “lumpy” despite the success of Britain’s vaccine rollout.
Ministers promised bumper supply from mid-March would see record daily jabs in arms.
But a delay to a key shipment means millions of younger Brits will have to wait longer for their first immunisation.
In a letter sent today, NHS chiefs warn of a “significant reduction” in weekly supply from March 29.
It said “volumes for first doses will be significantly constrained” for the following four weeks.
It comes as:
This evening Health Secretary Matt Hancock appeared to confirm the delay for younger Brits – saying the focus would remain instead on over 50s who have not claimed a jab.
He told a Downing Street press conference: “At the same time as opening up offers of vaccinations to all those who are 50 or above, we’re going to do whatever it takes to reach all those in the most vulnerable groups who haven’t come forward yet.
“Before we move on to the next cohort. And we will do that before we move on to people in their 40s.”
Officials hope the reduction in supply will not change Boris Johnson’s pledge of offering a first dose to all adults by the end of July.
Meanwhile, the UK today passed the incredible milestone of 25 million vaccinations – with nearly half the adult population immunised.
New figures show the UK jabbed a total of 25,273,226 people between December 8 and March 16 with first doses, while 1,759,445 people have had their second dose.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “This latest milestone is an incredible achievement – representing 25million reasons to be confident for the future as we cautiously reopen society.
“Thank you once again to the brilliant NHS, scientists, armed forces, volunteers, and all those who’ve helped our rollout.”
But health experts have warned that a reduction in vaccine supply could slow the easing of lockdown.
Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in Cellular Microbiology at the University of Reading, said while it was not yet known why the delay had occurred, the “ripple effects could last for months”.
He said: “It will undoubtedly make the meeting of the target dates for lifting restrictions more difficult than they otherwise would have been.
“By pushing back the under-50s first doses, their second doses are also being pushed back.
“If full vaccination becomes required for holidays abroad or even more mundane things like going to the cinema, millions of younger people may end up being excluded from participating for the whole summer.”
