Merkel, German Chancellor: "AZ Vaccine Effective but Has Acceptability Issues"

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany
Photo by Yonhap News

German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned on the 25th (local time) that a full lockdown could be reinstated in relation to COVID-19. Regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, she stated that teachers in elementary schools and childcare facilities have priority over the Chancellor. She also said that the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine is effective and safe but has issues with acceptance.

In an interview with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) on the same day, Chancellor Merkel said, "It is time to consider how to gradually ease lockdown measures," but added, "Due to the variant virus, the pandemic has entered a new phase, and a third wave may come."

She explained, "The variant virus from the UK is more aggressive than the original COVID-19 virus and will replace it," adding, "We must act smartly and cautiously to avoid the need for a full lockdown across Germany due to a third wave."

Chancellor Merkel expressed opposition to giving preferential treatment to vaccinated individuals over unvaccinated ones. She said, "As long as the number of vaccinated people is much smaller than those waiting for vaccination, the state should not treat the two groups differently," and "It must also be clearly proven that vaccinated individuals no longer transmit COVID-19."

Merkel stated that she will receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the order determined. She emphasized, "I believe it is right to offer vaccination first to vulnerable groups and the elderly, followed by those who cannot practice social distancing due to their jobs," and added, "(Teachers in childcare facilities and elementary schools) should have their turn before people like me."

Regarding the AZ vaccine, she said, "There are issues with acceptance." She stated, "The AZ vaccine is a reliable vaccine, effective and safe, approved for sale by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and in Germany, vaccination is recommended for those under 65 years old."

However, when asked if she was willing to be vaccinated first to increase acceptance of the AZ vaccine, she replied, "I am 66 years old, so I do not belong to the group for whom the AZ vaccine is recommended."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.