Germany, France and several other EU countries decided on Thursday to continue using the AstraZeneca vaccine after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) considered the shot “safe and effective”.
Germany will resume administration of the jab on Friday, according to Health Minister Jens Spahn. However, the vaccine will come with new tips on potential side effects.
“The common goal of the federal government and all 16 states is for AstraZeneca vaccinations to begin tomorrow,” Spahn said.
Germany had previously suspended the vaccine as a precautionary measure, with Spahn promising to make a decision on the vaccine after the EMA’s guidance.
“The EMA analysis confirmed the action we took,” Spahn continued. “It was fair to suspend vaccinations as a precautionary measure until the accumulation of cases with this very rare type of thrombosis can be analyzed.”
Where are other European countries?
France, Italy, Latvia, Bulgaria and Slovenia will also continue with the AstraZeneca vaccine, in line with 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 the European regulator points out. It has only relatively rare side effects,” Castex said.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said vaccinations against AstraZeneca would “resume tomorrow”, adding that “the government’s priority is to carry out as many vaccinations as possible as soon as possible”.
Spain will reintroduce vaccinations against AstraZeneca on Wednesday, but will exclude some demographic groups to minimize health risks.
Lithuania will resume use of the AstraZeneca jab on Friday, according to Health Minister Arunas Dulkys. Dulkys will join Lithuania’s president, prime minister and parliamentary speaker on Monday to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Norway, Sweden to wait now
Norway and Sweden will keep the AstraZeneca vaccine suspended as their public health bodies assess the situation.
“AstraZeneca vaccinations will remain suspended until we have a complete picture of the situation,” Camilla Stoltenberg, director of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, told reporters, saying it was “premature” to reach a final conclusion on the vaccine.
Sweden said it “needs a few days” before making a decision on the jab.