What the papers say – March 18

The nation’s papers are led by concerns the vaccine roll out will be hampered by supply issues with the AstraZeneca jab.

The Guardian, The Times and The Daily Telegraph report NHS bosses have admitted people under 50 may have to wait up to a month longer than planned to receive their jabs due to a “major” shortage of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

The Financial Times says the shortage puts the nation’s vaccine targets “in peril”.

The supply strain comes as European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen threatened to block vaccine exports to the UK in an effort to prioritise its own citizens, according to The Independent, Metro and the i.

The Daily Express says the EC chief’s comments are “proof” the EU will “never let (Brexit) go”.

The Daily Mail carries the “jab crisis” alongside a story on Home Secretary Priti Patel’s plans to take a “tougher stance” on asylum seekers who illegally cross the Channel.

Elsewhere, the Daily Mirror reports police are to again question Michael Barrymore following the arrest of a man over the death of Stuart Lubbock.

And the Daily Star dubs Dominic Cummings the “puppet master”, after his appearance before the Commons Science and Technology Committee on Wednesday.