Under-40s in Wales are to be offered an alternative to the AstraZeneca vaccine as a "precautionary measure" amid concerns over blood clotting.

The plans follow the advice of the JCVI and MHRA, and will see under-40s who have not yet been vaccinated offered an alternative to the AstraZeneca jab.

The Welsh Government said the plans were not expected to slow down the vaccine roll-out.

Everybody who has already had a first dose of the AZ vaccine will receive a second dose of the same brand, irrespective of age, in line with JVCI advice. Medical exemptions may apply to a very small minority.

The Welsh Government said: "The AstraZeneca vaccine has already saved thousands of lives and remains safe and effective for the majority of the population. Over 1.2million people have received the AZ vaccine in Wales since January, with very few cases of the rare clotting with thrombocytopenia event.

"Vaccines remain the best way out of this pandemic and provide strong protection against Covid-19 – it is important that when people are called forward, they should get their jab. To date, over 1.8million people in Wales have received a first dose of vaccine and a further 800,000 have also received a second dose.

"The Welsh Government, Public Health Wales and NHS Wales are working with other agencies to continually monitor vaccine safety and will keep this issue under close review. In Wales, people’s safety will always come first and we will only use vaccines where it is safe to do so and the benefits continue to outweigh the risks."