German vaccine panel approves AstraZeneca jab for over-65s

German chancellor Angela Merkel, right, speaks with the country’s health minister Jens Spahn (Markus Schreiber/AP)

Germany’s independent vaccine committee has formally approved giving the AstraZeneca jab to people aged 65 and over, the country’s health minister has said.

Jens Spahn said the decision was “good news for older people who are waiting for a vaccination. They will get vaccinated faster”.