Mr Spahn reassured the decision was not political and said they did not take the decision lightly.
Following Germany s decision, French President Emmanual Macron revealed France will be suspending the vaccine following advice from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Mr Macron said: We have a simple guide, to be informed by science and the competent health authorities and to do it as part of a European strategy.
The use of the vaccine will also be suspended in Spain for at least two weeks, according to Spanish Health Minister Carolina Darias.
EU health commissioner Stella Kyriakides (Image: Getty)
The Netherlands, Ireland, Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria, Iceland and Slovenia have also temporarily halted inoculations of the vaccine.
“I think there s been a reluctance to criticize Egypt publicly and collectively. [But] I think we re at a moment where the survival of the human rights community in Egypt is at stake.”
Kevin Whelan, Amnesty International
Until now, “I think there s been a reluctance to criticize Egypt publicly and collectively,” said Kevin Whelan, who represents Amnesty International at the UN in Geneva. But, “I think we re at a moment where the survival of the human rights community in Egypt is at stake.”
A strong message from the US
Activists hope Egypt has received the message that its partners abroad will no longer give it a pass, said Allison McManus, research director at the Washington, DC-based group, The Freedom Initiative. The organization represents some Egyptian Americans being detained in Egypt.
Breaking: AstraZeneca set to be approved in Germany for over 65 s fxstreet.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fxstreet.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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