The EU drug regulatory agency called a meeting for Thursday to review experts' findings on the AstraZeneca vaccine and decide whether action needs to be taken. Jens Spahn, Germany's Federal Minister of Health, announced the suspension of the AstraZeneca vaccine at a press conference. The AstraZeneca shot has become a key tool in European countries' efforts to boost their sluggish vaccine rollouts. In the US, which relies on the Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccines, AstraZeneca is expected to apply for authorisation in the coming weeks. Denmark last week became the first country to temporarily halt use of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 15, 2021 18:22 UTC