In policy shift, Germany to now vaccinate senior citizens

Robert Besser
07 Mar 2021, 13:41 GMT+10

Germany has announced it will begin vaccinating those over 65 years-old.
Germany had only allowed those under 65 years old to receive the vaccination, claiming the lack of data made it uncertain how effective the vaccination was on senior citizens.
However, new data on the vaccine's effectiveness caused the Germans to reverse their policy.

BERLIN, Germany: In a change of policy, Germany has announced it will begin vaccinating those over 65 years-old, while recommending waiting 12 weeks before receiving second doses, officials said Thursday.

A number of European countries, including Germany, had only allowed those under 65 years old to receive the vaccination, claiming the lack of data made it uncertain how effective the vaccination was on senior citizens.

However, new data on the vaccine's effectiveness, along with pressure to speed up the slow-moving European vaccination programs, caused the Germans to reverse their policy.

Calling the decision, "good news for older people who are waiting for a vaccination," German Health Minister Jens Spahn said those over 65 will now be vaccinated more quickly.

The British and Germans believe waiting 12 weeks between the first and second dose increases the vaccine's effectiveness.

Media has reported that German authorities have stockpiled some 2 million doses that have not been administered to the public.

Earlier this week, France, Belgium and Italy increased access to the vaccination.

(File photo. Credit Anna Auza | Unsplash)

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Belgium Sun.

More Information

6 ℃

Fair in Brussels

Europe

Section

Ireland to build first wind farm in Atlantic

DUBLIN, Ireland: Bold plans call for Ireland to power 1.6 million homes from electricity generated by offshore wind farms within ...

20 years after invading, U.S. to withdraw from Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, DC - All U.S. troops in Afghanistan will be withdrawn by September 11 - the 20th anniversary of the ...

Radio Free Europe faces $1 million fines from Russia

MOSCOW, Russia: - Radio Free Europe has been fined $70,000 by a Russian court.The Russian move was part of a ...

Turkey arrest former admirals who pan Erdoan's "crazy" canal project

ISTANBUL, Turkey: Turkey has arrested ten former admirals who criticized a government plan to build a canal to the Mediterranean ...

To date, Italy has suffered 3.75 million cases of Covid, says official

ROME, Italy: As Covid-19 rages throughout Europe, Italy recorded 344 coronavirus-related deaths on Saturday and 718 the day before. However, ...

What was Russia like in 1991

The year marked perestroika and the last days of the USSR, giving the world a brand new country. The Russian ...

International

Section