Covid-19 vaccine roll out to be hit by shortfall

THE available supply of Covid-19 vaccines for Irish GPs is 15 per cent less than originally hoped.

The news, revealed in a Saturday night memo to GPs by the HSE, means that the roll out of the vaccine to the over-80s will be hit in the coming weeks.

A significant number of people will now have to wait longer for their dosage, due to a change in the Moderna vaccine delivery plans.

The email said: “The amount you are to receive will be advised to you and any shortfall in vaccine for the over-80 age group will be allocated in your next order and so on through March.”

The latest setback comes after shortages of the AstraZeneca vaccine, administered to healthcare workers and will be rolled out to those with high-risk underlying conditions this week.

Last week, several GPs failed to get their delivery.

The email added: ”Unfortunately, these supply issues are outside of our controls we come to the conclusion of the first phase of the Over 70 vaccination programme, it is timely to reflect on the positive outcome for our over 85’s age group and to learn from the challenges which have arisen.

“There are a very small number of practices, now less than 30, who are due to receive first delivery next week for their over 85s and it is also intended to commence the vaccination of those who are homebound and in our acute hospitals.”