The NHS have written to vaccine centres around the country warning of a “significant reduction” in the number of vaccines doses available from 29th March.
AstraZeneca, one of the main vaccine suppliers in the the UK have responded to say they are “not experiencing any disruption” to their supply of the vaccine to the UK.
“Our UK domestic supply chain is not experiencing any disruption and there is no impact on our delivery schedule” they said in a statement.
The letter written by NHS chief commercial officer Emily Lawson said:
“The Government’s Vaccines Task Force have now notified us there will be a significant reduction in weekly supply available from manufacturers beginning in week commencing 29 March, meaning volumes for first doses will be significantly constrained.”
“They now currently predict this will continue for a four-week period, as a result of reductions in national inbound vaccines supply.”
“The risk to those who are currently waiting a jab comes when the letter warns that inviting patients “outside of cohorts 1– 9 is only permissible in exceptional circumstances.
“Those aged 49 years or younger should not be offered vaccination unless they are eligible via a higher cohort because they are e.g., clinically vulnerable, unpaid carer or frontline health and care workers.
“Now we have opened vaccination to cohorts 1-9, it is very important we focus our efforts on reaching as many of these groups as possible whilst administering second doses.”
Pfizer have also confirmed that they are on track to meet their delivery schedule.
