Emergency teams have been called to protect stocks of the vaccine at Oxford University and AstraZeneca following floods at a manufacturing facility in Wales.
Excess water surrounded buildings at Wockhardt’s pharmaceutical facility on the Wrexham Industrial Estate during a deluge of rain caused by Storm Christoph.
Water was still being pumped out from outside the warehouse this afternoon, which continued to be surrounded by flooding.
A worker swept away rubbish before driving a mini excavator and dumping plasterboard into a container.
The warehouse appeared to be completely empty with no equipment or machinery visible, and the vaccines were believed to have been moved to another, secret location.
Excess water surrounded buildings at Wockhardt’s pharmaceutical facility on the Wrexham Industrial Estate during a deluge of rain caused by Storm Christoph
Water was still being pumped out from outside the warehouse this afternoon, which continued to be surrounded by flooding
A worker swept away rubbish before driving a mini excavator and dumping plasterboard into a container
The Wrexham County Borough leader said authorities had been working “all night” to ensure the site was not inundated by flood waters.
Mark Pritchard said Thursday morning that resources such as storm drains had been set up to protect the vaccine store in the industrial area.
“I’m sure you know that the Oxford vaccine is made there and we had to work logistically with the company whose warehouse may have been flooded,” he told Sky News.
“So we worked with it all night and it was a success. This could have had an impact not just in Wrexham, Wales but across the country with vaccine stocks.’
The Wrexham County Borough leader said authorities had been working “all night” to ensure the site was not inundated by flood waters
Mark Pritchard said Thursday morning that resources such as storm drains had been set up to protect the vaccine store in the industrial area
The fill-and-finish phase of vaccine production is taking place at the facility (pictured today), which was visited by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in November
He added: “They were under pressure, they had serious concerns that their warehouse could be logistically flooded.
“They asked us for help and support and without hesitation we gave them that support.”
According to a spokeswoman for Wockhardt UK, all “necessary precautions” have been taken to prevent any disruption in the making of the jab.
“Slight flooding hit Wockhardt UK at around 4pm last night causing excess water to surround part of the buildings on the other side of the site,” the spokeswoman said in a statement.
“All necessary precautions have been taken, which means that production has not been interrupted or water has been let into buildings.
“The site is now safe and free from further flood damage and is operating as usual.”
The fill-and-finish phase of vaccine production is taking place at the facility, which was visited by Prime Minister Boris Johnson in November.
The company has had a presence in Wrexham for over two decades and employs more than 400 people at its manufacturing facility.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Very serious flooding situation in Wrexham and Flintshire overnight.
“The Vaccine Task Force here at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy contacted Wockhardt UK this morning and have been assured that staff are safe and the supply of vaccines will not be disrupted.”
The company has had a presence in Wrexham for over two decades and employs more than 400 people at its manufacturing facility
It comes amid uncertainty over the speed of the vaccine rollout, as ministers blame “supply shortages” for a three-day slip that raised fears the NHS drive had stalled. Pictured: The warehouse at Wrexham today
Today the motto “Life Wins” is written on the side of the company building in Wrexham, North Wales.
It comes amid uncertainty over the speed of the vaccine rollout, as ministers blame “supply shortages” for a three-day slip that raised fears the NHS drive had stalled.
But official data from yesterday raised hopes it was still on track, given Tuesday’s more than 346,000 jabs.
Boris Johnson – who took a helicopter from London today to watch the floods – said the UK is on schedule to vaccinate 14 million vulnerable people by mid-February.
The government is due to administer more than 350,000 doses a day on average through February 15, with the previous optimistic tone of officials being toned down in recent days.
Pfizer’s shipments have been impacted by a factory upgrade that will last into the next month.
Sources also cite factors such as “interrupted” deliveries and problems contacting the remaining over-80s and covering care homes.
MEPs also expressed concern about how the supplies were being distributed across the country.
In London – which gave the fewest vaccinations – the allocation is said to have been based on the uptake of last season’s flu vaccine, which was relatively low.
