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Coronavirus vaccinations have been rolled out across the UK, with 27,032,671 jabs given so far. Vaccinations are key to releasing the UK from lockdown, with the Prime Minister’s lockdown roadmap hinging on data to enable businesses to reopen, holidays within the UK to take place and family and friends to see each other again.
Now there has been a letter from NHS England sent round to vaccination centres cautioning of a “significant reduction” in jabs.
This comes as all over-50s are now allowed to book their appointments for the Covid vaccine.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference today Health Secretary Matt Hancock doubled down on the pledge to vaccinate all over 50s by April 15.
When questioned at the press conference Mr Hancock said supply was always “lumpy” but there would be enough vaccines to meet demand.
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NHS letter in full
The letter from NHS England has said there will be a “significant reduction” in weekly vaccine supply from the end of March.
Addressed to local health leaders it states “volumes for first doses will be significantly constrained”.
The letter from NHS England leaders reads: “The Government’s Vaccines Task Force have now notified us that there will be a significant reduction in weekly supply available from manufacturers beginning in the week commencing March 29, meaning volumes for first doses will be significantly constrained.”
It adds: “We must take this time to deliver protection to the most vulnerable.”
“They now currently predict this will continue for a four-week period, as a result of reductions in national inbound vaccines supply.”
Local health leaders have been told to focus efforts on the top priority groups in the letter, signed by Dr Nikita Kanani, medical director for primary care for the NHS in England, and Emily Lawson, chief commercial officer.
NHS chief commercial officer Emily Lawson, who wrote the letter, added: “Our vaccination delivery programme was designed to be flexible, scaled up and diversified in line with fluctuating international vaccine supplies.
“Thank you for your continued efforts, and, as ever, we are hugely grateful for everything that you are doing to make the NHS’s part in the delivery of this programme the success that it is.”
However, Health Secretary Matt Hancock argued the NHS letter warning vaccine supply will face a “significant reduction” was a “standard” technical letter.
He told the Downing Street press conference: “Vaccine supply is always lumpy and we regularly send out technical letters to the NHS to explain the ups and downs of the supply of the future weeks and what you are referring to is a standard one of those letters.”
Vaccination centres are being told from this week to closed empty bookings from March 29 onwards, and to not schedule appointments in April.
With over 50s told to book their vaccine, this could cause disappointment and delays for those in the younger age groups.
NHS England has said it is “vital” second doses of the COVID-19 jab are delivered to plan.
Mr Hancock said there would be a focus on vaccinating the most vulnerable before moving on to the over-40s but warned the UK would do “everything necessary” to ensure supplies continue.
He told the Downing Street press conference: “We’re on track to offer a first dose to everyone in priority groups one to nine by April 15.
“While we deliver on that commitment, we also want to ensure that this offer reaches everyone in groups one to nine.
“At the same time as opening up offers of vaccinations to all those who are 50 or above, we are going to do whatever it takes to reach all those in the most vulnerable groups who haven’t come forward yet before we move onto the next cohort, which is people in their 40s.
“Before we forge ahead I want us to be confident that we’ve done everything we can to protect those most in need of protection and we will do all we can and do everything necessary to deliver the supplies that are contractually committed to protecting people in this country.”
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