Australian PM plays down Italy vaccine blockade

Australia's prime minister on Friday played down the impact of Italy's landmark decision to block the export of 250,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses due to be delivered. Scott Morrison insisted the blocked shipment of the AstraZeneca jabs was understandable and would not affect Australia's vaccine programme. 'This particular shipment was not one we'd counted on for the rollout, and so we will continue unabated,' Morrison said.