UK Government Extends Controversial Emergency Regulations for Rapid COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Administration

Changes have been made to simplify the vaccine supply chain, despite warning from an expert that staff ‘do not have skills or experience’ to carry out assembly.

A paramedic walks past ambulances outside the Royal London Hospital in east London on Nov. 12, 2021. Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images

The UK government has decided to extend emergency regulations to ensure the swift administration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, including controversial assembly via Point of Care (PoC) manufacturing.

The PoC process, allowing certain authorised points of care to assemble vaccines and treatments on-site after receiving raw materials, gained traction during the COVID-19 rollout of mRNA treatments in the UK.