Germany will limit the use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine to people aged 60 and above as well as high-priority groups following further reports of cerebral sinus vein thrombosis (CSVT). 

Acting on advice from Germany’s vaccine committee, known as STIKO, its federal and state health ministries agreed under-60 year olds should only receive the AstraZeneca vaccine if they belong to high-priority groups, which include high-risk patients and medical workers, in consultation with a doctor.

People aged below 60 who have already received a first AstraZeneca shot have the option of either receiving their second shot as planned, if they are high priority, or to wait for STIKO to issue its recommendation, expected to do so by the end of April.

The new limit on the use of AstraZeneca is another setback in Germany’s already sluggish vaccination campaign.