The UK government has defended the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine after Denmark suspended the jab’s use (see 12.51pm), and insisted it would continue with its own rollout.

Prime minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman told reporters:

We’ve been clear that it’s both safe and effective... and when people are asked to come forward and take it, they should do so in confidence. And in fact you’re starting to see the results of the vaccine programme in terms of the [lower] number of cases we’re seeing across the country, the number of deaths, number of hospitalisations.

He noted that Denmark had stressed there was no confirmed link between the vaccine and the blood clots.

Asked if the UK government’s medical and scientific advisers were in contact with Denmark, the Downing Street spokesman said it was “regular practice” for experts to exchange information with international counterparts.

Denmark temporarily stops administering Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine

Denmark has temporary stopped usage of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine after several cases of blood clots among vaccinated people.

The vaccine has been found to be safe and effective in all adults by UK and international authorities and is widely in use across the world.