Germany, France and several other EU countries decided on Thursday to continue using the AstraZeneca vaccine after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) deemed the shot “safe and effective”.
According to Health Minister Jens Spahn, Germany will resume the shot on Friday. However, the vaccine will come with new advice on possible side effects.
“The common goal of the federal government and all 16 states is for vaccinations with AstraZeneca to begin tomorrow,” said Spahn.
Germany had previously suspended the vaccine as a precaution, with Spahn vowing to make a decision on the vaccine on the advice of the EMA.
“The EMA’s analysis has confirmed the action we have taken,” said Spahn. “It was appropriate to suspend vaccinations as a precaution until the accumulation of cases with this very rare form of thrombosis could be analyzed.”
Where are other European countries located?
France, Italy, Latvia, Bulgaria and Slovenia will also continue to use the AstraZeneca vaccine according to EMA guidelines. French Prime Minister Jean Castex plans to receive the AstraZeneca shot on Friday to boost public confidence in the vaccine.
“The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is effective, as underlined by the European regulator. It has only relatively rare side effects,” said Castex.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said AstraZeneca’s vaccinations “will resume tomorrow,” adding that “the government’s priority is to get as many vaccinations as possible in the shortest possible time.”
Spain will reintroduce AstraZeneca vaccinations on Wednesday, but will exclude some demographics to minimize health risks.
According to Health Minister Arunas Dulkys, Lithuania will resume the AstraZeneca shot on Friday. Dulkys will join Lithuania’s president, prime minister and parliamentary speaker Monday to get the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Norway, Sweden to wait for now
Norway and Sweden will keep the AstraZeneca vaccine on hold while their public health authorities assess the situation.
“AstraZeneca vaccinations will remain suspended until we have a full picture of the situation,” Camilla Stoltenberg, director of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, told reporters, saying it was “premature” to come to a definitive conclusion on the vaccine.
Sweden has said it “takes a few days” to come to a decision on the shot.