Shortage of vaccine delivery in the UK will delay dose for those under 50

vaccine supplies available for the first doses would be extremely difficult due to shortage in supply

Health officials in Britain says Covid-19 vaccines for people under the age of 50 may be delayed for up to a month due to a lack of services, due to reduced deliveries from the Serum Institute of India. Britain's National Health Service told public health officials on Thursday that first-line vaccines would be "severely disrupted" from March 29. As a result, people under the age of 50 should not get shot unless they have serious health conditions, according to a letter from Emily Lawson., NHS commercial officer, and Dr. Nikita Kanani, medical director of primary care. Doctors were expected to start vaccinating young people next month, but that would have to take a step back until May, said Dr. Martin Marshall, chairman of the Royal College of General Practitioners and the GP in east London.

"It was disappointing news when we heard yesterday that the vaccine would not be available in April," he told the BBC. He also added"It's a very successful overall program, and this is going back a bit."

The Department of Health and Social Care said the delay would not stop the government from achieving its goal of introducing the first vaccine for everyone over the age of 50 by mid-April and for all adults on July 31. The shortfall is due to lower-than-expected deliveries from the Serum Institute of India, which was expected to supply Britain with 10 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine this month. However, the Serum Institute emphasizes that there are no deadlines for deliveries. The center on Thursday said 5 million doses had been delivered "and we will try to deliver over time, depending on the current situation and the need for a government vaccination program in India."

Britain is using vaccines developed by American drug maker Pfizer and AstraZeneca. More than 25 million people across the UK, or about 38%, have received at least one dose of the vaccine so far. Robert Jenrick, Minister of Housing, Communities, and Local Government, said the government was constantly anticipating a decline in the number of vaccines due to the difficulty of production of the same. No single company is currently facing a shortage, he said."There are a lot of manufacturers around the world who are facing supply problems right now," Jenrick told the BBC.“It would not be fair to blame anyone who manufactures, factory or country. Not at all" he also added.

Dr. Simon Clarke, a professor of microbiology at the University said the temporary disruption could have lasting effects for months, including delays in removing Covid-19 restrictions."By setting back the first dose under the age of 50, their second values are also set back," he said. "If full immunizations are needed for overseas holidays or casual activities such as going to the movies, millions of young people could end up being excluded from participation throughout the summer."