AstraZeneca insists their Covid vaccine supply to UK is ‘not experiencing disruptions’ as NHS warned of jab ‘reductions’

ASTRAZENECA has said its supply of the Covid jab in the UK is “not experiencing any disruption” - after the NHS warned of a dip in supplies from the end of March.

NHS England said there had been “reductions in national inbound vaccines supply” and asked organisations to ensure no further appointments were uploaded to booking systems in April.

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NHS bosses said that as a result, people under the age of 50 should only get the jab if they are in a priority group for the vaccine.

Most Brits in their 40s will now have to wait until May for their first Covid jab due to the "significant" drop in supply.

Five million doses of the Oxford/Astrazeneca vaccine were due to arrive later this month to help supercharge the immunisation blitz.

But the shipment from India has been delayed by four weeks - meaning millions of younger Brits will now have to wait a month longer for their jab.

Astrazeneca said last night: “Our UK domestic supply chain is not experiencing any disruption and there is no impact on our delivery schedule.”

It came after Health secretary Matt Hancock earlier warned that supply will always be “lumpy” despite the success of Britain’s vaccine rollout. 

It comes as:

• Over 25million Brits have now been jabbed in the fight against Covid
• New UK Covid deaths plunged by 80 per cent in a month on Wednesday
• Brussels threatened to SEIZE factories on the continent producing the Oxford AstraZeneca jab
• Covid cases still rising in 38% of local authorities – is YOURS on hotspot list?
• Shielding for vulnerable Brits WILL end on March 31

Officials were relying on ten million extra doses of the Oxford jab from India to bolster supplies this month - but only half have been delivered on time.

It means the second phase of the immunisation blitz, which involves all health Brits under 50, is unlikely to start before mid-April and will be initially much slower.

Ministers promised bumper supply from mid-March would see record daily jabs in arms.

In a letter sent today, NHS chiefs warn of a “significant reduction” in weekly supply from March 29.

It warned “volumes for first doses will be significantly constrained” for the following four weeks.

Last night, Health Secretary Matt Hancock appeared to confirm the delay for younger Brits - saying the focus would remain instead on over 50s who have not claimed a jab.

He told a Downing Street press conference: "At the same time as opening up offers of vaccinations to all those who are 50 or above, we're going to do whatever it takes to reach all those in the most vulnerable groups who haven't come forward yet.

"Before we move on to the next cohort. And we will do that before we move on to people in their 40s."

Officials hope the reduction in supply will not change Boris Johnson’s pledge of offering a first dose to all adults by the end of July.

And Housing Minister Robert Jenrick today insisted: "Nobody who has an appointment should be concerned - you’re still going to get your second vaccine, all those appointments will be honoured.”

Meanwhile, the UK yesterday passed the incredible milestone of 25 million vaccinations - with nearly half the adult population immunised.

New figures show the UK jabbed a total of 25,273,226 people between December 8 and March 16 with first doses, while 1,759,445 people have had their second dose.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “This latest milestone is an incredible achievement - representing 25million reasons to be confident for the future as we cautiously reopen society.  

“Thank you once again to the brilliant NHS, scientists, armed forces, volunteers, and all those who’ve helped our rollout.”

But health experts have warned that a reduction in vaccine supply could slow the easing of lockdown.

Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in Cellular Microbiology at the University of Reading, said the delay could have "ripple effects" for months.

He said: "It will undoubtedly make the meeting of the target dates for lifting restrictions more difficult than they otherwise would have been.

"By pushing back the under-50s first doses, their second doses are also being pushed back.

"If full vaccination becomes required for holidays abroad or even more mundane things like going to the cinema, millions of younger people may end up being excluded from participating for the whole summer."