Amsterdam, Jan 29 (EFE).- The European Medicines Agency on Friday recommended the AstraZeneca/Oxford University vaccine for use on all ages above 18 in the European Union.

The European Commission will now give the green-light to begin rolling out the vaccine, the third to be approved in the EU.

The EU signed a pre-order for 400 million jabs from the Anglo-Swedish company, although the firm said it would fall short on its first-quarter deliveries of 100 million, prompting a row with Brussels.

EMA executive director Emer Cooke said: "With this third positive opinion, we have further expanded the arsenal of vaccines available to EU and EEA member states to combat the pandemic and protect their citizens."

The vaccine had a 60% efficacy rate in clinical trials, although there are not yet enough results on the over-55s as most of the 24,000 trial participants were between 18-55.

"However, protection is expected, given that an immune response is seen in this age group and based on experience with other vaccines; as there is reliable information on safety in this population, EMA's scientific experts considered that the vaccine can be used in older adults."

AstraZeneca is administered in doses injected into the arm and the EMA recommends that each jab be given four to 12 weeks apart. EFE

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