German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday received her first dose of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine, more than two weeks after German authorities recommended the use of the jab only for people aged 60 and over.
Merkel is stepping down this year after nearly 16 years in power.
‘I am delighted to have received my first vaccination with AstraZeneca today. I thank everyone involved in the vaccination campaign and everyone who gets vaccinated. Vaccination is the key to getting out of the pandemic,’ the 66-year-old said in a tweet posted by her spokesman Steffen Seibert.
In 2019, she sparked concerns for her health with a series of shaking spells in public but has appeared to be in good condition since then.
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Merkel had frequently been asked about her plans to get vaccinated but insisted that she would wait her turn according to Germany’s strict priority policies regarding the coronavirus jab.
The German capital, its own city-state, opened vaccinations to all people over the age of 60 earlier this month.
German officials have been at pains to shore up public confidence in AstraZeneca’s vaccine, which has been on a roller-coaster ride in Europe.
Germany’s STIKO vaccine commission in late March said it recommended the use of the jab only for people 60 and older following concerns over several blood clotting cases among younger recipients of the vaccine.
People under the age of 60 can still take AstraZeneca in consultation with their doctor and if they are fully aware of the potential risks.
Several other countries, including France, Spain, and Canada, have also imposed age limits on the AstraZeneca shot over the occurrence of rare but very severe blood clots.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
