NHS England responds to 'vaccine shortage' concerns as Sheffield GP warns 'we run out tomorrow'

Dr Ollie Hart, director of the Heeley-Plus Primary Care Network, has pushed for ‘transparency’ amid fears that stocks are depleting in Sheffield and across the country.

Up to 700 people a day have been vaccinated at the Matthews Practice where the Dr Hart works, but in a stark warning the ‘frustrated’ GP revealed that the centre ‘ran out’ of the vaccine a week on Friday.

He said that the practice was due to receive a delivery of 800 vaccines yesterday but will then have to wait nine days before it receives another delivery of 400 vaccines.

With the UK recording more than 1,800 deaths yesterday (Wednesday) in its deadliest day since the pandemic began, Dr Hart said the situation was ‘urgent’ and ‘desperate’.

Speaking out on Twitter, he said: “So I feel duty bound as a health care professional to battle for this.

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"We have bust a gut to get safe, local GP Hubs up and running. And we are very glad to, it’s what we do- react quickly to local need, in partnership with our local community. It’s the NHS at its best.

"But now our centre and most across Sheffield are faced with a massive reduction in supply of vaccines. We are told we are ‘going too quick, supply is limited nationally, others need to catch up’. Fair enough, we support equitable distribution (globally too).

"But can we have some transparency about national stocks, how much have we got? What is coming and when? Our patients are desperate to know. Our staff deserve to be kept in the loop.”

NHS England, who deal with vaccine supply, remain tight-lipped on whether or not the country is in the throes of vaccine shortage.

But a spokesperson said: “Vaccine allocations have prioritised areas for supply depending on the number of unvaccinated people in priority cohorts.

"This ensures we reach those most at risk across the country as far as possible, following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.