Fewer vaccines putting targets under pressure
WALES and the other UK nations are set to receive fewer Moderna coronavirus vaccines than originally thought this month, it has been revealed.
Health Minister Vaughan Gething, in a written statement, stated that the Welsh Government is “working through” what this means for the vaccination rollout in Wales.
It is understood that pharmaceutical firm Moderna, based in Boston, USA, has had a shortfall in vaccine production in its European supply chain.
The drug maker said that shipments to the European Union and Switzerland are on track but that it will make “adjustments” to expected second quarter delivery supplies in affected nations.
The UK has ordered 17 million doses of the Moderna vaccine which has a 94% efficacy rate in trials. It is said to be effective against both the Kent variant and the South Africa variants of coronavirus which both spread faster and could be more deadly.
Mr Gething said: “Supply is the limiting factor in our programme. We are aware of an expected reduction to the supply of Moderna vaccine to the UK. We are working through what this means for our programme in Wales. We will continue discussions with the UK Government with a focus on ensuring we meet the milestones in our national strategy.”
The supply issue comes after the Joint Commission on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended the use of the Moderna and Pfizer to pregnant women in the UK where available.
“JCVI have advised that women who are pregnant should be offered vaccination at the same time as non-pregnant women based on their age and clinical risk group,” said Mr Gething.
“There is now extensive post-marketing experience of the use of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in the USA with no safety signals so far. These vaccines are therefore the preferred vaccines to offer to pregnant women.
“Clinicians should discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with the women who should be told about the limited but emerging evidence regarding safety for vaccination in pregnancy. Pregnant women who commenced vaccination with AstraZeneca are advised to complete their vaccination course with the same vaccine.”
Meanwhile the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued new advice concluding there is a “possible link” between the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and an extremely rare form of blood clots.
The risk is of a very specific and very rare type of clot with a low platelet count, known as thrombocytopenia.
“The benefits of vaccination continue to outweigh any risks but MHRA advises careful consideration be given to people who are at higher risk of specific types of blood clots because of their medical condition,” Mr Gething added.
“JCVI has also issued advice in relation to AstraZeneca deployment that we are following. They have advised that:
■ Those aged 18-29 with no underlying conditions should receive an alternative Covid-19 vaccine where an alternative is available;
■ Those people who have had a first AstraZeneca vaccine dose should continue to have the second dose; and
■ Information should be given to individuals offered vaccination and healthcare professionals should be updated to reflect these considerations.
“We take this advice very seriously and will ensure the updated advice is followed for people’s safety. Those under 30 will be offered an alternative vaccine.
“This is a precautionary measure for the majority of the population as the AstraZeneca vaccine is still considered to be a safe and effective vaccine.”
Data published by Public Health Wales yesterday showed that 1,699,092 first doses and 610,882 second doses of the vaccine have been administered so far in Wales.
Mr Gething added: “We have offered the vaccine to all those in priority groups one to nine. Health boards across Wales are offering the vaccine to those aged 40 and over.
Some have already reached the 50% gateway that enables them to offer to the next age group so over-30s are also being called.”