ENGLAND TO FACE SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN VACCINE SUPPLY: GOV’T

England could face a "significant reduction" in its weekly vaccine supply for four weeks from March 29, health chiefs at the National Health Service have warned, Isobel Frodsham reported for Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).

In a letter published Wednesday, March 17, 2021, Emily Lawson and Dr. Nikita Kanani of NHS England told vaccination centers that they had been informed by the government's vaccine task force of a "significant reduction in weekly supply available from manufacturers" from March 29, 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 letter stated. No further vaccine appointments should be made for April, it added.

It was not clear what lay behind the reduction in weekly supply, or if people receiving second doses would be affected in any way. However, the letter made it clear that second doses would continue to be administered.

In a press briefing held after the letter was revealed, Britain's health secretary insisted Britain remains on track to reach the government's goal of vaccinating 32 million people a month.

"Vaccine supply is always lumpy, and we regularly send out technical letters to the NHS to explain the ups and downs of the supply over the future weeks," Matt Hancock told the press conference. "We're on track to meet the target of offering the vaccine to all [vaccine priority] groups 1-9 by April 15."

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