Germany’s Health Minister has announced that the country will immediately resume vaccinations using the AstraZeneca jab, following the EMA’s announcement that the vaccine was “safe and effective.”

AstraZeneca vaccine resumed in Germany

On Thursday, German Health Minister Jens Spahn announced that the AstraZeneca vaccine will once again be used to vaccinate people against the coronavirus in Germany. The use of the vaccine was suspended after a small number of people developed thrombosis, seemingly as a result of the AstraZeneca vaccine. However, following an investigation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the vaccine has now been declared safe to use.

While critics suggest that the suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine has only fuelled suspicion and further delayed Germany’s already beleaguered vaccine programme, Spahn says patients can rest assured knowing they are properly informed. “The course of events this week shows that citizens can trust that they will be informed transparently, and they can trust that careful checks will be carried out,” Spahn said, adding that doctors will now be required to inform patients about potential risks before administering the jab.

Each federal state will approach the resumption of the AstraZeneca vaccine differently. In Baden-Württemberg, appointments will initially be offered to people over 80, as well as those in vulnerable groups over the age of 65. In North Rhine-Westphalia, AstraZeneca vaccinations will be offered to professional groups, such as teachers in primary and secondary schools. In Saarland, the jab will be offered in a pilot project for GP’s and in hospitals, whilst in Hamburg, the vaccine will be administered to people with certain diseases in special practices.

EMA declares AstraZeneca jab safe for use

It was announced on Thursday that the EMA had come to “a clear and scientific conclusion” regarding the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine. “This is a safe and effective vaccine whose benefits in protecting people from COVID-19 hugely outweigh the risks,” said Emer Cooke, Executive Director at the EMA.

There are still questions surrounding the vaccines link to blood clots, and the EMA will carry on further studies on the vaccine. But, for now, it has been decided that the benefits of the AstraZeneca vaccine outweigh the associated risks.