Take AstraZeneca's 'fantastic' vaccine, Germany tells sceptical public
Health authorities in some European countries - including
"We strongly recommend it: this vaccine is safe and
effective," Health Minister
"...It protects oneself and others, like both other vaccines," he added, referring to the two other vaccines approved for use by the European Union, from BioNTech /Pfizer and Moderna (MRNA).
The health ministry said this week it had administered only 15% of the shots it has available, confirming concerns that Germans were being selective, slowing vaccination efforts.
A study of 500,000 vaccinations in
AstraZeneca's (AZN) lacklustre reception prompted Spahn at the weekend to offer to vaccinate primary school teachers and nursery workers sooner than originally planned.
On the streets of
"The reports I heard and read about it were definitely positive, not just negative," said Kerstin Schlebthorst. "Yesterday I actually heard one saying it works differently but it is just as safe. I think this has been approached very hysterically."
Wieler also warned the public to be vigilant in upholding social distancing since there was a risk otherwise of undoing progress and triggering a third wave of the epidemic.
"We will eliminate the severity of the disease through
vaccination and immunity and protect ourselves from it, but we
will not be able to eradicate it," he said.
(Reporting by