Germany, France and several other EU countries on Thursday decided to continue using the AstraZeneca vaccine after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) considered the injection “safe and effective”.
Germany will resume administration of the jab on Friday, according to Health Minister Jens Spahn. The vaccine, however, will come with new advice on possible side effects.
“The common goal of the federal government and all 16 states is for AstraZeneca vaccinations to start tomorrow,” said Spahn.
Germany had previously suspended the vaccine as a precaution, with Spahn promising to make a decision on the vaccine following guidance from the EMA.
“The EMA analysis confirmed the action we took,” continued Spahn. “It was correct to suspend vaccinations as a precaution until the accumulation of cases with this very rare type of thrombosis could be analyzed.”
Where are the other European countries?
France, Italy, Latvia, Bulgaria and Slovenia will also advance with the AstraZeneca vaccine following EMA guidelines. French Prime Minister Jean Castex plans to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday to boost public confidence in the vaccine.
“The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is effective, as highlighted by the European regulator. It only has relatively rare side effects,” said Castex.
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said AstraZeneca’s vaccinations “will be resumed tomorrow”, adding that “the government’s priority is to carry out as many vaccinations as possible in the shortest possible time”.
Spain will reintroduce AstraZeneca vaccines on Wednesday, but will exclude some demographic groups to minimize health risks.
Lithuania will resume using 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 obtain the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Norway, Sweden to wait now
Norway and Sweden will keep the AstraZeneca vaccine suspended while their public health agencies assess the situation.
“Vaccination with AstraZeneca 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 about the vaccine.
Sweden said it “needs a few days” before making a decision on the jab.