Wednesday
24
April
Vaccine roll-out slowed due to supply chain
25/02/2021 @ 06:52
Powys has seen a 25% drop in vaccines administered over the past week due to the supply chain not being able to deliver at its previous levels.
The 50,000th jab is expected to be done in the county today, and Powys Teaching Health Board said that 7,500 were administered over the past week, down from the 10,000-a-week high that had previously been reported. Nevertheless, it is still the highest-per-head rate in Wales.
The Board is also closing its reserve list which was successful in ensuring that doses did not go to waste.
The operation will now evolve to the harder-to-store Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine being used for the second doses, while the AstraZeneca, which is more easily stored, to be used for first doses.
“We are in a period where UK vaccine supplies are below the peak we saw earlier this year when we were able to deliver nearly 10,000 first doses in a week,” said a spokesperson.
“The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine now needs to be used for second dose vaccinations. This is vital to ensure that everyone receives their second dose within 12 weeks of their first dose, using the same vaccine as their first dose.
“The AstraZeneca vaccine is not yet available in large quantities. We expect sufficient supplies to deliver around 2,700 AstraZeneca first dose vaccinations in our Mass Vaccination Centres this week).
“Whilst the Moderna vaccine has been approved for use in the UK, supplies are not expected until later in the spring.
“So, compared with a week ago we have delivered an impressive 7,500 vaccinations in Powys in the last week. But, we are seeing a slower pace of first dose vaccinations until AstraZeneca supplies build up further.”
Other points highlighted by the local health board in today’s update included:
· Almost 2,500 people have had their second dose which will continue.
· Over two thirds of people in the 65-69 age group have now received their vaccination. The final invitations to people in this group will land on doormats next week.
· More invitations for 16-64 age group with underlying health conditions. Around a quarter of people in this group have received their first dose vaccination.
“Alongside this great progress, we must all remember that Covid-19 continues to circulate in the county,” said the spokesperson.
“This includes the new, more infectious strain of Covid-19 – the ‘Kent’ variant. This is concerning because it is more easily spread and it is more likely that exposure to the virus will lead to infection.
“This is why it remains vital that we all continue to follow the advice to stay at home, follow social distancing rules and wear face coverings in indoor public places.”
More information about eligibility in Priority Group 6 for adults with underlying health conditions is available at https://pthb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination/adults-with-underlying-health-conditions/.
The 50,000th jab is expected to be done in the county today, and Powys Teaching Health Board said that 7,500 were administered over the past week, down from the 10,000-a-week high that had previously been reported. Nevertheless, it is still the highest-per-head rate in Wales.The Board is also closing its reserve list which was successful in ensuring that doses did not go to waste.
The operation will now evolve to the harder-to-store Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine being used for the second doses, while the AstraZeneca, which is more easily stored, to be used for first doses.
“We are in a period where UK vaccine supplies are below the peak we saw earlier this year when we were able to deliver nearly 10,000 first doses in a week,” said a spokesperson.
“The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine now needs to be used for second dose vaccinations. This is vital to ensure that everyone receives their second dose within 12 weeks of their first dose, using the same vaccine as their first dose.
“The AstraZeneca vaccine is not yet available in large quantities. We expect sufficient supplies to deliver around 2,700 AstraZeneca first dose vaccinations in our Mass Vaccination Centres this week).
“Whilst the Moderna vaccine has been approved for use in the UK, supplies are not expected until later in the spring.
“So, compared with a week ago we have delivered an impressive 7,500 vaccinations in Powys in the last week. But, we are seeing a slower pace of first dose vaccinations until AstraZeneca supplies build up further.”
Other points highlighted by the local health board in today’s update included:
· Almost 2,500 people have had their second dose which will continue.
· Over two thirds of people in the 65-69 age group have now received their vaccination. The final invitations to people in this group will land on doormats next week.
· More invitations for 16-64 age group with underlying health conditions. Around a quarter of people in this group have received their first dose vaccination.
“Alongside this great progress, we must all remember that Covid-19 continues to circulate in the county,” said the spokesperson.
“This includes the new, more infectious strain of Covid-19 – the ‘Kent’ variant. This is concerning because it is more easily spread and it is more likely that exposure to the virus will lead to infection.
“This is why it remains vital that we all continue to follow the advice to stay at home, follow social distancing rules and wear face coverings in indoor public places.”
More information about eligibility in Priority Group 6 for adults with underlying health conditions is available at https://pthb.nhs.wales/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccination/adults-with-underlying-health-conditions/.
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