England’s top doctor urges over-50s to book Covid jab now before many centres set to close for WEEKS after supply war
ENGLAND’S top doctor is urging over-50s to book their jab before many centres are set to close for weeks.
Professor Stephen Powis' plea comes as Britain’s looming vaccine supply issues threaten to hamper the country's jab blitz.
He called on over-50s or any vulnerable adults to book a jab before the NHS stops taking appointments on Monday.
A total of 325,650 Brits received their first vaccine dose yesterday, meaning an incredible 28,653,523 have had their first shot.
And 169,155 got their second jab, bringing the total to 2,532,839.
But the Indian government is said to have blocked five million jabs that were set to vaccinate Britain's under-50s.
It comes as:
- Brussels backed down in the Covid jabs war and vowed to work with the UK
- Pubs will be allowed to ban drinkers who haven't had a Covid vaccination
- Brits were dealt a huge summer holiday blow as France could be slapped on the UK's travel red-list
Now jabs centres in Devon, Kent and Cornwall are just a few who have confirmed they will “have to pause” because of supply issues, the reports.
Over-50s can book their vaccine on the , where they can choose from more than 1,600 jabbing sites across the country.
And Brits aged 18 and over who are clinically vulnerable can also book now.
In Exeter, Westpoint vaccination centre will close between April 1 and 11, according to the Mail.
And all five of Kent's five mass vaccination centres will shut next month “for a number of weeks.”
But Dr Paul Johnson, clinical chairman of the NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, said there was no issues for second doses.
Professor Powis said the NHS’s speedy roll-out had a record week, with 3.5 million doses in just seven days.
He said: “It is testament to the careful planning and sheer hard work of staff that the NHS vaccination programme is continuing at a record pace."
An NHS spokesperson said: “While we expect supply to be constrained, it makes sense to use our resources wisely across the more than 1,600 vaccination sites.
“There are currently no plans to close sites permanently and, most importantly, people in the top priority cohorts will still be able to book their jab close to home.”
It comes as Brussels backed down in the Covid jabs war and vowed to work with the UK on a "win-win" situation.
Meanwhile, pubs will be allowed to ban drinkers who haven't had a Covid vaccination.
Punters may have to show proof of a jab or a recent negative test to get a pint.
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It comes as France could be slapped on the UK's travel red-list - forcing a ten-day isolation for when travellers return.
Call to arms - how MPs, celebs and big businesses backed our campaign
A HOST of celebs and politicians threw their weight behind Jabs Army as they praised kind-hearted Sun readers who signed up.
Their calls were led by Boris Johnson, who begged for volunteers to help 'return the country to normal life'.
The PM wrote personally to our readers, saying: "The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign is a brilliant example of the power of collective action.
"It has already inspired companies and workplaces up and down the country to join the call to arms.
"So today, I call on everyone who has the time to join the legions of volunteers already signed up and to boost volunteer numbers further still."
Jeremy Clarkson urged Brits to get off the sofa and sign up to beat the lockdown blues.
He said: “Everyone is saying how bored they are. They’ve watched Netflix, gone through everything on the internet, read Google.
“Well let’s not be bored — let’s get off our bottoms and volunteer.”
His call was backed by a string of other celebs - including the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, who hailed our campaign as “fantastic”.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock saluted Jabs Army as he addressed the nation in a No10 press briefing.
He said: "Come and be a part of it. The Sun’s Jabs Army is marching and helping the nation.”
GMB host Piers Morgan branded the campaign as "excellent".
While celebrities like Bear Grylls, Gordon Ramsay and Bake Off's Matt Lucas have also thrown their support behind the campaign.