Health News Roundup: UK launches rollout of Moderna COVID vaccine; Nigeria to limit first doses of AstraZeneca due to supply concerns and more

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

What you need to know about the coronavirus right now

Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now: Brazil deaths on track to pass worst of U.S. wave

UK launches rollout of Moderna COVID vaccine as daily shots slow

Britain began using Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday in Wales just as its rollout of other shots fell to their lowest level this year due to a supply crunch caused by manufacturing problems at AstraZeneca. Britain has surged ahead of the rest of Europe in the race to vaccinate its population, with almost half of its citizens receiving a first dose. But supply issues from its main Oxford-AstraZeneca shot have slowed progress in recent days.

Nigeria to limit first doses of AstraZeneca due to supply concerns

Nigeria has directed its 36 states and federal capital territory to stop giving first doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines once they use half their current stock in order to safeguard supply for the second dose, its health minister said.

Osagie Ehanire said the directive came amid concerns over when Nigeria would get another shipment of the shots after India put a temporary hold on all major exports of the doses made by the Serum Institute of India (SII).

U.S. FDA extends review of Pfizer's experimental skin disease drug

Pfizer Inc said on Wednesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had extended the review of its experimental atopic dermatitis drug by three months, the latest regulatory setback for a class of treatments known as JAK inhibitors. Without disclosing the reason behind the regulator's move, the U.S. drugmaker said the FDA's decision on the treatment, abrocitinib, is now expected in the third quarter of this year.

EU says AstraZeneca vaccine supply is global problem, not EU-Australia issue

The European Commission said on Wednesday that delivery shortfalls of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine were a global issue, not something to be addressed only in talks between the EU and Australia. The comment followed Australia's request to the EU to send AstraZeneca doses. Canberra has said the EU has blocked shipments, whereas the EU says AstraZeneca had not requested new authorisations for exports to Australia.

European countries may have to mix COVID-19 shots amid AstraZeneca crisis

Several European countries are considering mixing up COVID-19 vaccines for citizens who received a first dose of AstraZeneca's shot, an unprecedented move that highlights challenges for governments struggling to tame fresh rises in infections. Vaccination programmes have been upset after a small number of reports that recipients of the AstraZeneca inoculation have suffered extremely rare blood clots, leading some countries worldwide to suspend its use out of caution.

Moderna says Europe-bound COVID-19 vaccine deliveries are on track

Deliveries of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine are on track to meet the number of doses it promised to the European Union, a spokesperson for the U.S.-based drugmaker said on Wednesday, following a report of delays in Germany. "Moderna is committed to meeting all quarterly contractual delivery agreements with the European Commission and individual Member States," the spokesperson said in an email to Reuters.

Some Indian states warn of vaccine shortage as new COVID-19 cases peak

India reported a record 115,736 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, a 13-fold increase in just over two months, raising pressure on the government to expand its vaccination campaign. Some states, including hardest-hit Maharashtra, have complained of a scarcity of vaccines during a second wave of the pandemic that has forced some centres to turn away people, though only people aged over 45 are being immunised.

Philippines allows use of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine for senior citizens

Philippine health authorities on Wednesday allowed the use of Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine for some senior citizens after initially limiting coverage to people aged 18-59 years, as the country battles one of Asia's worst coronavirus outbreaks. The Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration said they made the decision after receiving the recommendation of the Department of Science and Technology's vaccine expert panel.

Iran passes daily coronavirus record as cases soar to nearly 21,000: health ministry

Iran passed its daily record of coronavirus infection on Wednesday as cases reached 20,954 - up by more than 3,500 from the previous day, the Iranian health ministry said. Authorities have blamed the surge above all on millions of Iranians ignoring guidelines and travelling or holding family gatherings during Nowruz, the two-week Iranian New Year holiday that began on March 20.