People under the age of 30 should be offered the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine instead of the AstraZeneca jab where possible, the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said, in a “change of course” for the country's roll out.

Pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca has had a turbulent few weeks as several countries expressed concerns over the safety of its vaccine, as cases of blood clots were reported among younger people, and some suspended the administration of the shot, including Germany, Spain Italy and France.