Germany’s vaccine committee has said AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine should only be given to people aged under 65

Germany’s vaccine committee has said AstraZeneca’s Covid vaccine should only be given to people aged under 65.

The committee cited “insufficient data” over its efficacy for older people.

The European Medicines Agency is to decide on Friday whether to approve the vaccine for use across the EU.

The UK has been using the AstraZeneca vaccine in its mass immunization programme for weeks now, and public health officials say it is safe and provides “high levels of protection”.

The German announcement comes as the EU is in dispute with leading manufacturers over a shortage of vaccines on the continent.