The benefits of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine continue to outweigh any risks for most people, the UK medicines watchdog has said.

It comes as European regulators ruled that unusual blood clots were “very rare side effects” of the jab.

A review by the European Medicines Agency’s safety committee concluded on Wednesday that “unusual blood clots with low blood platelets should be listed as very rare side effects” of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine.

In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said there were still huge benefits of the vaccine in preventing Covid-19 and serious disease.

However, due to a very small number of blood clots in younger people, those under the age of 30 will be offered Pfizer or Moderna instead where possible.

A review of the vaccine found at the end of March 79 people in the UK suffered from the rare blood clots- 19 of those affected died.

Almost two thirds of those affected by blood clots were women.

Those who have been given a first dose of the Oxford Astrazeneca vaccine should still turn up to receive their second dose.

Anyone with a condition that leaves them at risk of clotting should discuss the vaccine benefits and risks with a health professional before receiving the vaccination.