of its programme—making out of london, over the next six years. a remarkable collection of handwritten letters from diana princess of wales to a friend are being sold at auction to raise money for arts charities. good afternoon and welcome to bbc news. ministers have sought to reassure people about the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine, amid a reduction in supply which means most people in their 40s will now have to wait till may for a jab. the government insists it will still offer all adults their first dose by the end ofjuly — but in the commons earlier today the health secretary confirmed supplies would become tighter in the weeks ahead. the bbc understands a delay in the delivery of 5 million doses of the oxford—astrazeneca jab from india is one factor. but matt hancock said no vaccine appointments booked would be cancelled and people would still get their second dose as planned. katharine da costa reports. this vaccination centre in south west london is one of hundreds around the country that so far help to give a dose to around half of all adults in england. having opened up appointments for the over 50s, the nhs in england is now being told not to offer vaccines to younger age groups throughout april because of supply issues. but the health secretary has insisted the roll—out will continue as planned. 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. most importantly, the vaccine data published yesterday showed the life—saving impact of this vaccine. it's not just that the vaccines are safe, it's that they make you safe. the uk had been expecting 10 million doses of the oxford astrazeneca vaccine from india this month, but only half has arrived. the serum institute has spoken of the pressure it's under. we are hoping very much that all other vaccine producers scale up because right now the pressure on serum institute is unprecedented. we are being tugged at by different governments in the world. we need to support astrazeneca. and we are being literally forced to supply as much product to the indian government as well. astrazeneca said its uk supply has not been affected. pfizer, which produces its vaccine in belgium, said deliveries to the nhs are also on track. and supplies of moderna are expected sometime in the spring. experts say the manufacture and supply of vaccines is a delicate process. of course, we are dealing with unprecedented demand. we are trying to get the same products to the whole world all at the same time, and supply chains have high quality characteristic so we do want these to be the highest quality out there. there is very strict testing and authorisations from the different health authorities. the government has warned uk supplies could be lumpy. you can see the supply can fluctuate from week to week. some of those advising the government on the roll—out are concerned delays could impact efforts to tackle the virus. phase two is really important, actually, and if we can't do that as spring progresses, we will be left in a position where we are continuing to have to have lockdowns and so on to control the spread of the virus. despite the setback, the government is still confident it can meet its target for offering all adults a jab by the end ofjuly. it said the road map for easing restrictions is still on track but it will no doubt come as a blow for the over 40s who will have to wait for their invite a little while longer. katharine da costa, bbc news. our correspondent in mumbai, nikhil inamdar, gave me more details about the situation in india regarding the supply of the astrazeneca vaccine. so far we haven't heard anything from astrazeneca on the specific shortfall in the uk. however, independent experts, or rather sources, have indicated that it was never a stipulated time line that was agreed upon by the serum institute, that in terms of supplies to the uk, and the delays are on account of higher domestic demand for the product given that we have seen a huge surge in cases. in fact, just today the indian external affairs minister very categorically saying that the overseas supply of vaccine will be completely dependent on domestic availability, and we have also been seeing some shortages in various parts of the country of the vaccine manufactured by the serum institute. india has also been seeing a huge surge and needs to step up its immunisation programme because we have had about 35,000 plus positive cases just in the last 2a hours, the highest since december. there's also been a second wave of sorts being reported in various provinces. india has a target to inoculate around 300 million people byjuly 2021 so the pressure to vaccinate is building up. let's get more from our political correspondent greg dawson. it was interesting listening to matt hancock at lunchtime because you got the sense that the government wants to try to reassure despite all the talk of a delay in some supplies. there was a lot of surprise at the downing street press conference yesterday that matt hancock did not tackle be letter from the nhs head—on but there was a change in tactic today in the commons. he stood up and mention it first and allay concerns of people about what this delay means in practical terms. he was keen to stress that if you have a vaccination appointment, it will not be cancelled, and that target of vaccinating everyone 50 and over will be met by the 15th of april, he said, and the target of vaccinating the whole adult population by the end ofjuly is still on course. he added that despite this delay, they seek the month of april is very much the month of april is very much the month to roll out second vaccinations and they are expecting to administer 12 million doses. matt hancock was keen to emphasise that when you go through a vaccination roll out on this enormous scale, there will be some problems with supply it here and there, but he did not anticipate it knocking the target of course. we did hear from the shadow health secretaryjonathan ashworth and he wanted to ask the health secretary if this would affect the government of�*s road map out of lockdown. but also he wanted the health secretary to acknowledge the health secretary to acknowledge the anxiety caused to some by the delay. many key workers under 50 like teachers — many key workers under 50 like teachers and police officers who threw _ teachers and police officers who threw the — teachers and police officers who threw the nature of their work are not threw the nature of their work are hot at _ threw the nature of their work are not at home and they are going out and they— not at home and they are going out and they are more exposed to risk of they had _ and they are more exposed to risk of they had been hoping that vaccination for them it was not far awax _ vaccination for them it was not far awax we — vaccination for them it was not far away. we understand why they will have to _ away. we understand why they will have to wait, because we understand, but this— have to wait, because we understand, but this hot— have to wait, because we understand, but this not fantastic news, and nor: _ but this not fantastic news, and nor, frankly, is it expected news. the home secretary said of course people will be disappointed but that the big picture is the government's target of everyone over 50 vaccinated by the 15th of april is still on target and that all adults should be vaccinated by the end of july and he was also keen to stress that this news does not knock the road map timetable. the government was very cautious in its timetabling of when we could emerge to some form of when we could emerge to some form of normality and he said this news does not delay that and he was also able to confirm the news that people who have been shielding, the clinically vulnerable for so long, they will be able to stop shielding from the end of march. greg dawson, thanks forjoining _ from the end of march. greg dawson, thanks forjoining us. _ this afternoon the prime minister will lead today's downing street briefing, he'll be joined by england's chief medical officer chris whitty and drjune raine from the medicines regulatory agency, the mhra. we'll have full coverage from 4.30 on bbc one and the bbc news channel. germany has seen a jump in the number of infections — it's just had its biggest daily rise in covid cases for nearly two months. it comes as the eu's medicines regulator is due to deliver its findings about the safety of the astrazeneca vaccine — its rollout has been halted across much of the eu because of concerns about blood clots. jenny hill reports from berlin. is germany playing it too safe? infection is spreading fast here, cases rising in newly reopened kindergartens. nursery workers have been pushed up the vaccination priority list. isabella and her staff were offered the astrazeneca jab. translation: i think it's devastating. - three of us were vaccinated on sunday, two others would have had it today, but that was cancelled. even if they re—approve it, my colleagues don't want to have it now. germany dismissed concerns about astrazeneca and blood clotting from other countries. it's used 1.6 million doses. but then it emerged seven people here have developed a rare type of blood clot on the brain within days of receiving the jab. experts say statistically they'd expect around one. the cases are deemed so severe — three people died — that the government argues it would be irresponsible not to pause the programme. translation: in my view, it's better if we suspend for a few days, - get a better view of the situation, and talk to our european partners. then we can say with certainty how we will proceed. some in germany weren't keen on astrazeneca in the first place, in part because the government initially blocked its use in older people. but this country, which has given just 8% of its population a first dose of vaccine, is relying on it. "there are always risks," he says. "you don't know how many people will die now "because they aren't vaccinated." she says, "they have got to check it. "the government is trying its best." the german government says this wasn't a political decision, and it's hard to see what the gain would be. more than 200 people are dying every day here from covid and public dissatisfaction is growing. ministers insist this was about inspiring trust. it may be they've achieved quite the opposite. jenny hill, bbc news, berlin. we have had more details coming through from jenny in berlin. in terms of cases of blood clot in germany, a couple more figures, because the country reporting an increase now in the number of people who have developed, who have developed a rare type of blood clot on the brain following having the astrazeneca job, on the brain following having the astrazenecajob, it on the brain following having the astrazeneca job, it says, according to the health ministry in berlin a total of 13 cases have been reported now. so 13 cases where someone has developed this rare type of blood clot on the brain, and all but one of those people where women, as it happens. and a wide age range. the 13 cases go from people aged 20—63 so a wide age range. 13 cases is what germany is now saying. the european regulatory agency is due to report more on that about the astrazeneca jab and may be in the next hour we will get much more. 0ur europe correspondent jean mackenzie is at the european medicines agency headquarters in amsterdam. she told us what to expect when we hear from the ema later this afternoon. yes, what they have been doing over the past few days is analysing each of these reported cases of blood clots, so that is fewer than 40, to see whether they can find a link between the vaccine and the clotting, so work out if it is a side—effect of the virus or is itjust a coincidence? they said on tuesday there was so far no indication the two were linked and urged countries to carry on using the vaccine. we are expecting later today for them to give a finaljudgment on how likely it is this vaccine increases the risk of clotting, and so therefore, are the risks, are the benefits still greater than the risk given that we know this is a vaccine that is saving lives every single day? countries really desperately struggling in europe to vaccinate people fast enough as they battle what appears to be the onset of another wave of this virus. the fear is the suspension might have put people off having the vaccine, that is something they cannot afford at the moment. countries say they were being cautious, that they wanted to be absolutely sure this vaccine was safe, but certainly there are those who are questioning if they should have waited for the evidence later today before they pressed pause. jean mackenzie in amsterdam. we are keeping a close eye on that and as soon as we get any comments we will bring them to you. we think sometime after three o'clock. nhs chief executive sir simon stevens said he was "personally delighted" as he received his first covid—19 vaccine jab. sir simon, who's 5a, said the oxford astrazeneca jab which he received at westminster abbey's vaccination site was "quick, painless and effective". todayis today is another huge milestone in the nhs covid vaccination programme because by the end of today over half of adults in this country would have had their vaccine. as a 54—year—old i was pleased to get my invitation yesterday, to have my 0xford astrazeneca jab this morning, and i have to tell you it was quick and i have to tell you it was quick and painless. and effective. so we are well on track to make sure that everybody aged 50 and over can be offered their vaccine well ahead of the 15th of april goal, so the suggestion is if you are invited, please step forward and take up the offer. the headlines on bbc news... health secretary matt hancock says covid vaccination targets will still be met for the nine priority groups, despite a drop in vaccine supply in april. the care regulator says hundreds of patients had "do not resuscitate" notices put on them at the start of the pandemic without their knowledge. the bbc announces major plans to move large parts of its programme—making out of london, over the next six years. the care regulator for england has said hundreds of people had their human rights breached when "do not resuscitate" decisions were placed on them during the early part of the pandemic — without them or their families knowing about it. a report by the care quality commission says there's some evidence that blanket dnr decisions — which restrict potentially life—saving treatment — were used on elderly and disabled people. nikki fox reports. hi, everyone, i'm jordan. jordan is supported by dimensions. this is my support worker, emma. hi. we're currently making an omelette. his social care provider is one of many who have fought to remove inappropriate "do not resuscitate" orders during the pandemic. i want me and my friends to grow old and have a happy and fulfilling life, and to have these decisions made for us, against us, in this way i think is very inhumane. it did create a real climate of fear, i think, amongst people with learning disabilities and their families about what the outcomes might be for people. for the "do not resuscitate" orders that you'd heard about, the inappropriate ones, rachel, what were some of the reasons given? we had somebody we support and the reason given for their order was that they had dyspraxia, asthma and a learning disability, which is clearly entirely inappropriate reasons to apply a "do not resuscitate" order. and there are many examples of this. in fact, the care quality commission was told of more than 500 cases where a "do not resuscitate" order was applied without the consent of the person or their family. it said it raised serious concerns that many disabled people were seeing their human rights breached by not being given the right to choose their own end—of—life care. we know at the beginning of the pandemic there - was a lot of confusion. i think some of that confusion - and some of the miscommunication did lead to this increase in dnr cpr decisions that we saw. - it's completely unacceptable. it'sjust terrifying. your life is everything you own, so, scary. sarah, who wants us to protect her identity, has a rare neuromuscular condition. she's in her early 20s and is a successful writer. at the beginning of the pandemic she was asked on three occasions to sign a "do not resuscitate" order. there was no back—and—forth, it was very much, "i think this should happen to you," it was just, "i think this is best." "they wouldn't treat you anyway, let's do it." it was a tick box exercise. i think of a 20—year—old me, i would have been useless at that conversation. i mean, i have had practice, like, i do use a hospice, but this has felt different. this has felt like a fight, which i really don't enjoy. the government says it would take on board the report's recommendations and stressed that blanket "do not resuscitate" orders were always completely unacceptable. nikki fox, bbc news. the health secretary matt hancock has announced more than £6 billion for the nhs in england, partly to deal with waiting lists. earlier today, nhs providers, representing hospitals and other trusts in england, said that clearing the backlog of non urgent operations will take years rather than months. recent figures showed that more 300,000 patients in england had waited more than a year for routine surgery. our health editor hugh pym talked this morning to the chief executive of a leading hospital and told me what he had to say. professor marcel leavy is chief executive of university college london hospitals trust. he came over to london from the netherlands, where he had an eminent medical career four years ago to take on the role of running the hospital and he goes back to the netherlands at the end of this month to become the dutch government's chief scientific adviser, so his take on the pandemic and the state of the nhs is very, very interesting. a key point he made about these long waits for non—urgent surgery is the nhs already had long waiting lifts before the pandemic and covid was a magnifying glass for that problem because of the cancellations which have creaed a longer series of waits for people. here's what he had to say on what can be done about that. it's going to take, i'm afraid, a very long time to get where we want to be, at least a year and probably longer. does it need more moneyjust to get through these procedures, doing extra hours and weekends and so on? yes, of course it will take more money and of course we will try to do this as efficient as possible, but you can only treat all those patients if you introduce even more weekend working, evening working, extra shifts, extra operating theatre time. of course that will take a little bit of money. and he was extremely complimentary about the nhs and staff. he paid tribute to those he had worked with and he made a very interesting comment about the nhs�*s role during the pandemic, that it had been involved in some successes, whereas less successful programmes were done by others. everything that has been a success was actually the part that was done by the nhs. everything that was actually not so successful, i'm talking about test and trace, i'm talking about ppe provision, all these things, were actually the things that had to be outsourced to companies that failed in what they promised to deliver, so that's a reminder for the future. professor marcel levi speaking to me. matt hancock has just announced new money for the nhs in england for the first half of the upcoming financial year partly to deal with bringing down these long waiting lists and we will have to await reaction from health l