France limits AstraZeneca Covid jab to over-55s as Europe treads warily

Three Scandinavian countries reserve judgment one day after EMA says shot is safe and effective

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France has said only people aged 55 and over should receive the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, and three Scandinavian countries have reserved judgment until next week, a day after Europe's health regulator declared the shot safe and effective for all age groups.

As politicians launched an urgent effort to convince citizens of the vaccine's safety, the French health regulator said the shot's use should resume without delay". France was among more than a dozen EU states to suspend the shot this week.