In the evening hours on Wednesday, the Bavarian Ministry of Health released a new announcement: the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is now available for everyone over the age of 18, regardless of priority group. This marks yet another turn in the rollercoastering AstraZeneca saga, perhaps spurred on by skepticism of the claim that the British-Swedish vaccine runs too high of a thrombosis risk for its recipients. While Germany’s Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) is still recommending the vaccine only be administered to those over the age of 60, offering AstraZeneca to those comfortable with the risk is hoped to speed up the otherwise dangerously sluggish vaccination campaign.
Currently AstraZeneca is only being administered at doctor’s offices, and not at vaccination centers. Those wanting to take advantage of this opportunity should contact their general practitioner (Hausarzt) or medical specialists in order to join their waitlists.
Some doctors’ practices aren’t yet aware of this change and aren’t compiling waiting lists. They haven’t received any additional supplies or notification of these, and are prioritising vulnerable groups.