[ad_1]
The UK National Health Service has warned of a “significant reduction” in the weekly supply of the Covid-19 vaccine from the end of March.
More than 25 million people in the UK have received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, but the NHS has warned of a one-month reduction in the weekly supply of injections.
It comes as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is expected to meet on Thursday to discuss the AstraZeneca vaccine, after a dozen European countries suspended launching the jab on isolated cases of blood clotting.
A letter to local health leaders in England asked vaccination centers and community pharmacy-run services to close unfulfilled bookings and “ensure no more appointments are loaded” into booking systems in April.
NHS chiefs said that as a result of supply problems, people under the age of 50 should only receive the jab if they are in a priority group, meaning that younger adults could face a longer wait to be vaccinated. .
The delay in the delivery of five million doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus
The Indian vaccine is believed to be behind the upcoming reduction in the UK supply.
Delivery was expected from the Serum Institute of India, the BBC reported, but was delayed for four weeks.
A spokesperson for the Serum Institute of India told the BBC: “Five million doses were delivered to the UK a few weeks ago and we will try to deliver more later, depending on the current situation and the requirements of the government’s immunization program in India. . ”
AstraZeneca has partnered with the institute, which is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, to supply the government of India, but also other countries, including low- and middle-income countries.
UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock told a Downing Street news conference that vaccine supplies were “always spotty” and insisted the nation was on track to meet the goal of offering a first dose to everyone. those over 50 years old before April 15.
Elsewhere, the UK faces a possible EU dose lockdown after Ursula von der Leyen warned that the bloc will “ponder whether exports to countries that have higher vaccination rates than us remain. provided ”.
The head of the European Commission said she wanted “reciprocity and proportionality” in exports, noting that 10 million doses of vaccine had been shipped from the EU to the UK.
Mr Hancock said that the supply of vaccines to the UK from EU production facilities was “fulfilling contractual responsibilities and we look forward to those contracts being honored.” – PA
[ad_2]