Vaccination pace slows down as AstraZeneca persists in its reduction
The ongoing vaccination drive in Germany is facing a slight setback due to the pause in the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and the federal states, the number of first-time COVID-19 vaccinations in Germany has increased to 6,970,861, following a daily increase of 135,645.
However, this pace is slower compared to the previous weeks. Two days ago, the daily increase was 194,000, and the day before that, it was 182,000. On Wednesday, the RKI reported 122,536 first vaccinations. On average, 173,000 people were vaccinated for the first time against the coronavirus in the last seven days.
The slowdown can be attributed primarily to safety concerns over the AstraZeneca vaccine's side effects. Early in the vaccination campaign, reports emerged globally, including in Germany, of rare cases of blood clotting disorders associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. This led to suspension or restriction of its use, pending safety reviews.
German health authorities implemented temporary halts or age-based restrictions on AstraZeneca use, which interrupted planned vaccination schedules. This complexity added logistical challenges and hesitancy among vaccine providers and recipients.
Concerns about AstraZeneca's safety, amplified by media coverage and public discourse, contributed to decreased demand for this vaccine brand and slowed overall vaccination uptake.
Policy and legislative context also played a role. Germany's vaccine mandates and related policies evolved amid political debate and legal challenges, with partial mandates introduced for specific groups but general mandates rejected or delayed. This may have indirectly influenced vaccination momentum by shaping incentives and public attitudes.
While broader factors such as supply issues or global vaccine availability may play roles, the dominant reasons behind the pace slowdown and AstraZeneca vaccination pause in Germany relate to safety signal management and public trust in specific vaccines during the height of their rollout.
The RKI regularly corrects the number of first vaccinations for longer periods and in both directions, ensuring the accuracy of the data reported. As the vaccination drive continues, the RKI and the federal states will continue to provide updates on the progress of the vaccination program in Germany.
[1] Source: Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2022.
Other science, specifically vaccinology, has been under scrutiny as the ongoing health-and-wellness crisis persists in Germany. The decreased demand for the AstraZeneca vaccine, primarily due to safety concerns and public trust issues, has slowed the overall vaccination uptake in the country.