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Merkel gets Moderna as second jab after AstraZeneca first dose

AFP
AFP - [email protected]
Merkel gets Moderna as second jab after AstraZeneca first dose
Angela Merkel at the G7 summit with world leaders in England earlier in June. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/getty pool/AP | Leon Neal

German Chancellor Angela Merkel received a Moderna coronavirus vaccine as her second jab, after getting AstraZeneca as the first, a spokesman said Tuesday.

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The 66-year-old took her first dose of AstraZeneca's vaccine on April 16th, more than two weeks after German authorities recommended use of the jab only for people aged 60 and over.

A spokesperson said on Tuesday that she received her Moderna jab a few days ago. As was the case in April, Merkel was not pictured rolling her sleeves up to get the injection like some other world leaders. 

READ ALSO: 'I'm delighted': Merkel receives AstraZeneca jab

There is lots of debate on receiving a different vaccine for the second dose. In Germany, a recent study suggested mixing and matching certain vaccines could potentially give the immune system an extra boost - but research is still ongoing. 

Merkel is stepping down this year after 16 years in power.

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In 2019, she sparked concerns for her health with a series of shaking spells in public but has appeared to be in good condition since then.

After a sluggish start, Germany's vaccination rollout has sharply accelerated in recent weeks.

As of Tuesday, one in two, or 51.2 percent of the population have received their first dose. And 31.6 percent are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. 

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