Vaccines Minister has faith in supply

THE Vaccines Minister has said he is confident the UK will continue to receive its deliveries of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab, after the European Union threatened to block vaccine exports.

Nadhim Zahawi said the UK’s vaccination programme was still on track, including offering all adults a first dose by the autumn and 15 million of the most vulnerable a jab by February 15.

Asked whether the EU could prevent Pfizer vials leaving its borders, Mr Zahawi told Sky News: “No, I’m confident that the Pfizer vaccine will be delivered. Pfizer have made sure that they have always delivered for us. They will continue to do so.

“They have made a very important announcement on the equitable supply of the whole world, including the European Union, and I’m sure they will deliver for the European Union, the United Kingdom and for the rest of the world.

“We have got 367 million vaccines that we have ordered from seven different suppliers, so I’m confident we will meet our target and continue to vaccinate the whole of the adult population by the autumn.”

Facing criticism of a slow roll-out in the EU, the European Commission has threatened to impose controls on vaccines.