All over-50s and high-risk groups in UK offered vaccine ahead of target date

Achievement hailed by PM as hugely significant milestone' means people in late 40s should be next to be immunised

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All over-50s and high-risk groups in the UK have been offered a coronavirus vaccine a few days before the mid-April deadline set by the government - meaning the second phase of the rollout to younger cohorts can now begin.

Despite fears of a supply slowdown and possible knock in confidence after a change in advice on who could get the Oxford/AstraZeneca jab, Boris Johnson hailed the passing of another hugely significant milestone".