NHS England has warned of a significant shortage in the Astra-Zeneca vaccine coming at the end of March, thought to last four weeks.
A letter from NHS England was sent to all vaccination centres on 17 March. It detailed the considerable reduction in supply, saying ‘volumes for first doses will be significantly constrained’.’
Vaccine centres were advised to stop taking appointments for the entirety of April.
Approximately five million vaccinations are being delayed. The NHS is prioritising over 50s and those most vulnerable in the priority groups one to nine who have not yet received their second vaccination dose.
Now under 50s will have to wait several weeks longer to be vaccinated than expected.
In a conference with reporters last week, health secretary Matt Hancock was asked about the NHS letter, but he did not appear concerned.
Hancock said: “Vaccine supply is always long peak and we regularly send out technical letters to the NHS to explain the ups and downs of the supply over the future weeks.”
He added that the shortage would not affect the Covid-19 roadmap, which was outlined by the Prime Minister in February.
This comes after the health secretary praised the NHS for carrying out almost 900,000 vaccinations on Saturday 20 March. He called the vaccination roll-out a ‘national success story’.
In February, Rotherham was the area with the highest percentage of over-65s vaccinated at 95.1%.
The lowest percentage was in Barnsley, with 90.7% of over-65s having had their first vaccine.
Between 8 December 2020 and 28 February 2021 in South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw, 462,545 vaccines were carried out.
There were on average 325,000 daily vaccinations in the UK in the week leading to 25 March.
Hancock added: “We are on course to deliver the offer that everybody who is aged 50 and above will be able to get vaccinated by the 15 of April.
“We are committed to all adults being able to get the jab by the end of July and we are on track to deliver on that commitment.”