The UK vaccination programme has been such a success to date that until yesterday evening it seemed a formality that the government would achieve its target of offering all adults at least a first dose of a Covid vaccine by July. Indeed, on Monday it looked as if this date might be brought forwards when it was announced that there would be a huge uplift in vaccine shots available, thanks to the arrival of a large consignment of AstraZeneca vaccine from India. Instead of 2 million doses a week, the vaccination programme would be able to deliver 4 million doses.
On Wednesday evening, however, that hope was shattered. Firstly, Ursula von der Leyen renewed her threat to block exports of the Pfizer vaccine, British supplies of which are sourced from a factory near Brussels. Then, a letter from NHS England revealed that there would be a ‘significant reduction’ in vaccine doses available from the week beginning 29 March.
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