Germany, In A U-Turn, Approves AstraZeneca For People Aged Over 65
Sumaira FH Published March 04, 2021 | 05:20 PM
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 04th March, 2021) Germany authorizes the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for those over 65 years old as sufficient data has surfaced proving its effectiveness, but the interval between the first and second shots will be extended to the maximum of 12 weeks, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday.
"The [German] vaccine commission, whose recommendations we are happy to follow, will authorize AstraZeneca for older age groups," she said during a meeting with regional health authorities.
Previously the vaccine was recommended only to people under 65 years of age due to insufficient data on its effects on older people. However, Merkel told the reporters after the meeting that recent studies had now provided enough evidence to approve it for all ages.
"The pause between the first and second shot should be used effectively, which means that the second dose should be administered at the very end of this period. For Pfizer/BioNTech it is 42 days, for AstraZeneca � 12 weeks. This way we can vaccinate the most number of people, " she said.
The German government was severely criticized for its previous stance on AstraZeneca, which fueled negative public perception of the vaccine. It resulted in mass rejections of vaccination with the vaccine, leaving the country with thousands of unopened doses.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
More Stories From World
-
ByteDance says 'no plans' to sell TikTok after US ban law
36 minutes ago -
Oil: 'Mother of corruption' in Venezuela
36 minutes ago -
ECO General Secretary urges member nations to embrace cultural wealth
37 minutes ago -
China warns Blinken over deteriorating ties in talks
47 minutes ago -
Famine-threatened Sudan's 'race against time' to plant crops
57 minutes ago -
Microsoft, Google earnings shine as AI drives revenue
1 hour ago
-
Man City crush Brighton to close gap on Arsenal in title race
1 hour ago -
Atletico face Bilbao challenge in Champions League race
1 hour ago -
Man City in title groove as Arsenal face Spurs test
1 hour ago -
Japan anime studio draws on talent of autistic artists
2 hours ago -
Pakistan needs strong defence in view of its location in 'rough' neighbourhood: Masood Khan
2 hours ago -
Bangladesh children sweat at home as heatwave shuts schools
2 hours ago