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Covid vaccines may be sent abroad before full rollout in UK

The RAF began flying supplies of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine to the Falkland Islands yesterday
The RAF began flying supplies of the Oxford-Astrazeneca vaccine to the Falkland Islands yesterday
LEON NEAL/GETTY IMAGES

Britain could start sending vaccine stockpiles to other countries before all adults have been offered a jab, it emerged yesterday.

Matt Hancock, the health secretary, acknowledged yesterday that the 400 million doses ordered were “more than the UK population needs”. He said that the government would be generous “at the same time” as it completed its domestic vaccination programme.

Downing Street insists that it is premature to discuss surplus vaccines and officials said yesterday that no decisions would be taken before the completion of the first phase of the programme in the spring.

That leaves open the possibility that UK-ordered jabs could be sent abroad before all adults — including teachers and police — have received them.

France intensified its criticism of Britain’s