Vaccination Programme Update for April 2021

From the start of the programme, the NHS has successfully had to adjust week-to-week vaccine delivery in the light of fluctuations in supply

The Government has reported that there will be a significant reduction in weekly supply available from manufacturers beginning the week of 29 March, meaning volumes for first doses will be significantly constrained. They currently predict this will continue for a four-week period, as a result of reductions in national inbound vaccines supply. During this period, vaccination services will continue to give first and second doses to eligible people in cohorts 1-9. People will continue to be able to book appointments at vaccination centres and community pharmacies via the national booking service online at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/ or by calling 119.

GPs will also continue contacting eligible patients and vaccinating them throughout April.

However, fewer appointments will be available for first doses from next week as the bulk of available supplies are used to vaccinate people with a second jab.

As a result, a number of vaccination centres will need to make temporary changes from 1 April. St Johns Shopping Centre (Preston), Lancaster Town Hall and Blackpool Winter Gardens will be temporarily closed from 1 – 5 April and will then re-open.

Our vaccination delivery programme has been designed to be flexible, scaled up and diversified in line with fluctuating international vaccine supplies. Vaccination Centre opening hours will be reviewed on an ongoing basis as more information becomes available about future allocations of vaccine supply.