MATT Hancock addressed MPs today after it emerged a shipment of vaccines bound for the UK will be delayed.
The Health Secretary issued a statement to Parliament around the growing crisis in the EU and delays in shipments after 20 countries paused the rollout of the AstraZeneca vaccine.
What did Matt Hancock say?
Matt Hancock insisted that vaccine appointments will NOT be cancelled despite supply issues.
The Health Secretary vowed that booked appointments would go ahead as planned.
Ministers believe they are still on track to give all adults their first dose by July.
Speaking about the supply issues, he said: “In the last week, we’ve had a batch of 1.7 million doses delayed because of the need to retest its stability.
“Events like this are to be expected in a manufacturing endeavour of this complexity and this shows the rigour of our safety checks.
“And we have a delay in a scheduled arrival from the Serum Institute of India.”
Matt Hancock vowed that next month around 12million people will receive their second dose.
He added: “These second doses can’t be delayed as they have to be delivered within 12 weeks of the first dose.”
The Health Secretary reassured the nation that Britain was in the middle of a “bumper” week of supply.
But due to the current delay, he admitted that in April “supply is tighter”.
This week people in their 50s were invited to get the jab and can sign up online or by waiting for a text from their GP.
NHS chiefs warned yesterday of a “significant reduction” in weekly supply from March 29.
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.
Mr Hancock told last night’s 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.”