Get the vaccine now or face a long wait, Black Country health chiefs warn
People who don't get vaccinated in the next week could wait until May for their first dose of the jab, health chiefs today warned.
The region is likely to run out of vaccines over the next week due to shortages across Europe, meaning no first doses are likely to be administered for several weeks from the start of April.
It has prompted a major vaccines push in the West Midlands until April 2, with people aged 50 and over or who are clinically vulnerable invited to turn up at centres in Walsall, Sandwell and Wolverhampton without an appointment.
By that date NHS chiefs say supplies are likely to have run dry for those requiring a first dose, although they have pledged to cater for everyone invited for their second dose.
It came as Ministers insisted that the plan to offer a first dose to all adults by July was on track, despite shortages across the continent.
Sally Roberts, Chief Nurse for Black Country and West Birmingham CCGs, said: "From March 29 through to the end of April, we are expecting a reduction in the supply of vaccines for first dose.
"This won't affect any second dose vaccine, it is first dose only, but there will be a reduced supply for that month's period."
She said it was "hard to say" when supply lines were expected to be back up, and that for the time being the focus was on prioritising the most vulnerable people.
She said she expected vaccination centres to be kept in place, although capacity at some of the bigger sites would be reduced.
"We may need to hibernate some of those arrangements temporarily," she added. "We are not closing them, we see it as a temporary kind of slow down, rather than a shut down."
Chief Nurse Roberts urged people to take advantage of a "real opportunistic time" between now and April 2 to get the jab.
"We have got vaccinations waiting for everybody who is over 50 years of age, clinically vulnerable or a registered carer for someone who is clinically vulnerable," she said.
'Opportunity'
"This is a big opportunity and we have tried to reduce any of the bureaucracy around process."
Vaccinations are available on a walk-in basis to people who meet the criteria until April 2, at Walsall’s Saddlers Centre, Tipton Sports Academy in Sandwell and WV Active Aldersley in Wolverhampton.
Chief Nurse Roberts added: "In addition we have also got a guaranteed supply of second doses at all of our other sites, so through GP practices, through community pharmacists, and also through this site, we will be delivering second dose as well as first dose."
The West Midlands has become the first region in the UK to deliver more than five million Covid vaccinations – 4.75 million first doses and just under 300,000 second doses.
Dr Paddy Hannigan, clinical lead for the vaccination programme in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, said it was a concern that some eligible people had still not had the jab.
“This may because they don’t realise they are in an eligible group or because they are waiting to be contacted and invited to book – it doesn’t matter," he said.
"If you are over 50, clinically vulnerable because of a health condition, you are a health or care worker or have caring responsibilities there is a vaccination with your name on it."
The NHS has warned that anyone who currently qualifies but has not had a first dose of a vaccine should arrange an appointment by March 29 , or risk a longer wait.
