Matt Hancock said the UK vaccination programme remains on course to hit its targets amid delay in 1.7 million Covid-19 doses.

A batch of 1.7 million coronavirus doses have been delayed due to the need to be retested, while there has been a delay in a scheduled arrival from the Serum Institute of India, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has told MPs.

Downing Street has not denied the Serum Institute of India’s suggestion that the Indian government was temporarily blocking exports of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Matt Hancock told the Commons: “In April, supply is tighter than this month and we have a huge number of second doses to deliver. During April, around 12 million people, including many colleagues in this House will receive their second dose.

“These second doses cannot be delayed as they have to be delivered within 12 weeks of the first dose.

“In the last week, we’ve had a batch of 1.7 million doses delayed because of the need to retest its stability.

The Health Secretary explained that events like this are to be expected due to the complexity and rigour of safety checks.

He said the partnership with the Serum Institute of India is one the UK “can be proud of”, despite the delay.

Matt Hancock said the UK vaccination programme remains on course to hit its targets.

He told MPs: “The targets to offer a vaccine to everyone aged 50 or over by April 15 and to all adults by the end of July, I can confirm we are on track to meet both of these targets.

“I also want to clear up some rumours that have been circulating and give people reassurance. There will be no weeks in April with no first doses.

"There will be no cancelled appointments as a result of supply issues – second doses will go ahead as planned."

He also told MPs: “Now, there are 7,218 people in hospital with Covid across the UK – down from a peak of almost 40,000 just seven weeks ago.

“The rate of hospitalisation has halved in just 16 days. And thankfully the rate at which people are dying has fallen by a third in the last week.”

He reiterated clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer have to shield from March 31.

Following the announcements made in the Commons, a press conference has been scheduled for this afternoon. 

Boris Johnson will be joined at the 5pm Downing Street press conference by chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and MHRA chief executive Dr June Raine, No 10 said.