Germany and Sweden Also Allow AZ Vaccine for Elderly Population

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Germany and Sweden have also decided to administer the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to the elderly.

On the 4th (local time), according to major foreign media including Bloomberg, the German Vaccine Committee officially approved the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine to those aged 65 and over. Jens Spahn, Germany's Minister of Health, said, "This is good news for the elderly waiting for vaccination," adding, "They will be able to receive the vaccine a little sooner."

Sweden also expanded the recommended age group for the AstraZeneca vaccine to those aged 65 and over on the same day. A Swedish health authority official explained at a press conference, "There have been new studies showing that the AstraZeneca vaccine provides very good preventive effects for this age group in places like England and Scotland."

Previously, Belgium, Hungary, Austria, and others also removed age restrictions for AstraZeneca vaccination. France expanded the vaccination target to those up to 74 years old on the 1st.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is one of the three vaccines approved for use by the European Union (EU), along with Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. However, some member countries such as Germany, France, Belgium, and Sweden limited the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine for the elderly due to insufficient clinical data for this age group.

Recently, as data showing the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the elderly have been emerging in the UK and pressure to speed up vaccination has continued, authorities in various countries are reversing their positions.

Public Health England (PHE) announced on the 1st that there was a significant preventive effect 3 to 4 weeks after the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in those aged 80 and over. Researchers at the University of Bristol in the UK also released a study on the 3rd showing that the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is over 80% effective in preventing severe illness in the elderly and high-risk groups.