"Europe Leaders Roll Up Sleeves One After Another Saying 'I'll Take AZ Shot Directly'"

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson giving a thumbs-up after receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Nana] European leaders have stepped forward, saying they will "get vaccinated themselves" to prove the safety of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and to alleviate their citizens' concerns.

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, and Mario Draghi, Prime Minister of Italy, announced on the 19th (local time) that they would receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, according to Reuters and AFP. This comes as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) concluded that the vaccine is "safe and effective," interpreted as an effort to ease public anxiety in their countries.

At a press conference that day, Chancellor Merkel responded directly to a question about receiving the AstraZeneca vaccine by saying, "I will get vaccinated." She emphasized, "I prefer to wait until my turn comes, but no matter what happens, I will get that vaccine."

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi also stated at a press conference, "I have not yet scheduled my vaccination, but it is time for my age group to be vaccinated," adding, "I will get the AstraZeneca vaccine." He further mentioned, "My son also received the AstraZeneca vaccine in the UK the day before yesterday."

Boris Johnson, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, who recovered from COVID-19, has also completed his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. After receiving the vaccine, he said, "I literally felt nothing. It was very good and very quick."

Meanwhile, the EMA and the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced the previous day that no causal link has been established between the AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clot side effects.

The WHO also stated on the 20th that the AstraZeneca vaccine continues to receive positive evaluations in the "risk-benefit analysis," and that it has tremendous potential to prevent infections and reduce deaths worldwide.

Accordingly, EU countries such as Germany, France, and Italy have decided to resume AstraZeneca vaccinations, with their leaders receiving the vaccine one after another. Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovenia have also announced plans to resume vaccinations.

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