The government has asked the UK health and science regulator to assess the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for approval, making the jab available for “temporary supply” as soon as possible.

The request comes as doubts have been raised over the efficacy of the partnership's vaccine following revelations that the half dose given during trials was a result of errors. Other factors such as the age groups of volunteers, may also impact the efficacy rate – volunteers under 55 received the half dose while older volunteers received the full dose during Oxford-AstraZeneca trials.