Newspaper headlines: 'Union vacc' and EU jab rollout nearing 'crisis'

Several of the front pages lead on the European Union's efforts to address a shortage of coronavirus vaccines.

The Financial Times says the EU's vaccination plan is at "crisis point", with rollouts being paused in Paris, Madrid and Portugal. The ire of member states is focused on drugs firm AstraZeneca, according to the paper, because of big shortfalls in production.

The Guardian warns that EU plans to give national regulators the power to block exports could lead to millions of doses being prevented from entering Britain "within days".

The paper cites research suggesting that if the UK has to rely solely on home-produced vaccines, a target of immunising 75% of the population would be reached three months later than planned, putting thousands of lives at risk.

The Daily Telegraph says Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been accused of siding with the EU. She has pledged to publish data about vaccine supplies in order - the Telegraph says - to counter claims that vaccinations in Scotland are being rolled out too slowly.

Boris Johnson has reportedly urged her to reconsider because of fears the data could help the EU put pressure on manufacturers to divert their doses. The paper's leader column suggests Ms Sturgeon could be putting her pro-EU sympathies ahead of the interests of Scottish voters.

The Daily Mail welcomes clinical trial results showing the Novavax vaccine is nearly 90% effective - with 60 million doses set to be manufactured in the UK. "Another shot in the arm for Britain!" is the paper's headline.

The Sun's front page gives the trial results a similarly patriotic welcome. The paper says Britain's "incredible vaccine campaign" is set to receive further boosts, including imminent trial results for a one-shot drug made by the Belgian company Janssen, of which the government has ordered 30 million doses.

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The Daily Express is among the papers to report that the RSPCA is abandoning bringing private prosecutions over animal cruelty.

The charity is said to be handing over responsibility to the Crown Prosecution Service because of what it describes as the increasing complexity of cases. Animal lovers tell the Express they are concerned convictions for cruelty will drop.

But the Telegraph says there has been concern the RSPCA was becoming too political and alienating its supporters. The charity explains it is stepping back only from its role as a prosecutor - not from prosecutions - and will continue to investigate allegations of animal abuse.