Health

UK Covid-19 vaccine supply from India delayed

London, Mar 18 (efe-epa).- The United Kingdom is due to face a delivery delay of five million doses of Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine manufactured in India, the BBC reported Thursday.

The British public broadcaster said that the shipment manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) has been held up by four weeks, which will slow down the UK vaccine rollout from March 29.

The pharmaceutical company delivered a five-million-dose batch a few weeks ago.

A spokesman for the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer told the BBC that the SII would “try to supply more later, based on the current situation and the requirement for the government immunization program in India,” giving no further details on the date.

Meanwhile, Pfizer, which produces its coronavirus vaccine in Belgium, has delivered all its planned shipments to the UK; however, those shipments could be altered if the European Union decides to restrict exports of vaccines.

The UK is also awaiting the arrival of US-made Moderna doses, the third Covid-19 vaccine approved by British regulators, in late spring.

On Wednesday, the British government said it is expecting a “significant reduction” in vaccine supply in England from March 29, after public health officials sent a letter to various vaccine centers to stop taking new appointments for vaccinations in April.

Over 25 million people have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in the UK and 1.75 million already have the two required injections, according to the latest official figures. EFE-EPA

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