Germany, France and several other EU countries on Thursday have decided to continue using the AstraZeneca vaccine after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) deemed the shot "safe and effective".
Germany will resume administering the jab on Friday, according to Health Minister Jens Spahn. The vaccine, however, will come with new advice on potential side effects.
"The common aim of the federal government and all 16 states is for vaccinations with AstraZeneca to start tomorrow," Spahn said.
Germany had previously suspended the vaccine as a precaution, with Spahn vowing to make a decision on the vaccine after EMA guidance.
"The EMA analysis has confirmed the action we took," Spahn continued. " It was right to suspend vaccinations as a precaution until the accumulation of cases with this very rare type of thrombosis could be analysed"
Where do other European countries stand?
France, Italy, Latvia, Bulgaria and Slovenia will also move forward with the AstraZeneca vaccine following the EMA's guidance. French Prime Minister Jean Castex plans to receive the AstraZeneca shot on Friday to boost public confidence in the vaccine.
"The AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is effective, as underlined by the European regulator. It only has relatively rare side effects," Castex said.