Berlin, Jan. 26, (dpa/GNA) – German Health Minister Jens Spahn on Monday declined to comment on reports claiming that AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine is only 8-per-cent effective among those aged 65 and older.
“I think little of speculative headlines,” Spahn told public broadcaster ZDF on Tuesday, adding that a decision would be made next week “which age groups will be vaccinated with this vaccine first” after scientific data had been analysed.
A report in business daily Handelsblatt cites sources within the federal government as saying that the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca vaccine among people older than 65 stands at 8 per cent.
The tabloid Bild made a similar claim in its report.
A spokesperson for AstraZeneca denied the reports on Tuesday, saying that the claim was “completely wrong.”
The vaccine is expected to receive EU approval on Friday.
GNA