NHS England has warned of a significant shortage in the Astra-Zeneca vaccine coming at the end of March, thought to last four weeks.<\/p>\n
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’.’<\/p>\n
Vaccine centres were advised to stop taking appointments for the entirety of April.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Now under 50s will have to wait several weeks longer to be vaccinated than expected.<\/p>\n
In a conference with reporters last week, health secretary Matt Hancock was asked about the NHS letter, but he did not appear concerned.<\/p>\n
Hancock said: \u201cVaccine 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that the shortage would not affect the Covid-19 roadmap, which was outlined by the Prime Minister in February.<\/p>\n
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 \u2018national success story\u2019.<\/p>\n