Health chief in Boris Johnson’s constituency warns of two-week lull in vaccinations

Health chiefs in Boris Johnson’s constituency have warned of a two-week lull in the vaccine roll-out due to a shortage of supplies.

They said the daily fluctuation in vaccine deliveries was the “slight fly in the ointment” — and that supplies would not recover until March 15.

It came as health chiefs in south-west London said on Wednesday their supply of vaccines was “up and down”.

More than 2.1 million jabs have been administered across London but Tuesday’s figures increased by only 25,311 across the capital, about 60 per cent of the daily average.

Hillingdon’s health and wellbeing board was told on Tuesday that the first nine priority groups were due to receive a jab by March 29 — more than a fortnight ahead of the accelerated schedule that Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced for the country.

But Richard Ellis, of Hillingdon clinical commissioning group, which covers the PM’s Uxbridge and South Ruislip constituency, said: “This week and next week there is a national challenge to the level of vaccine supply.

“Although we will be getting some vaccine in Hillingdon, and elsewhere in north-west London, it won’t be in comparable levels to previous weeks. We have been assured that for the week beginning March 15 there will be plenty, more than usual, vaccine released.

“Obviously we are disappointed we have not been able to keep up the momentum this week.”

The search for the sixth person to have tested positive for the Brazil variant continues, having been narrowed down to 379 households in the South East. The Department of Health said each household was being contacted.