The British Health Minister has defended his country’s vaccination strategy following sceptical reactions from the EU.
Minister Matt Hancock said there is indeed a scientific basis for the decision to vaccinate all age groups with the Oxford and AstraZeneca vaccine.
The use of that vaccine in the elderly is a matter of debate. Health authorities in several EU countries have recommended that only people under 65 be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. French President Emmanuel Macron noted that the drug appears to be “quasi-ineffective” in the elderly.
The latter is disputed by the vaccine makers and the British government. Hancock called it crystal clear to the BBC that the vaccine works well. The United Kingdom was the first country to adopt the AstraZeneca vaccine and is seen as a leader in vaccination in Europe.
In other European countries, including Germany, France and the Netherlands, rumours are going on about how authorities are vaccinating their citizens.
French European Affairs Minister Clement Beaune stressed on Wednesday that the British have taken “enormous risks” with vaccinations, for example by also vaccinating the elderly with the AstraZeneca vaccine.