German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (65) received his first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Thursday at the Berlin army hospital.

 

He called on his fellow countrymen in a statement to also get a shot.

Germany decided on Tuesday to only vaccinate people over 60 with the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company after reports of rare but severe side effects, “such as blood clots in the brain, especially in women under 55 years old. Confidence in the AstraZeneca vaccine got a new blow, but the state’s head is not making it complicated.

“I trust the vaccines approved in Germany,” said Steinmeier. “Vaccination is the decisive step on the way out of the pandemic. Make use of the possibilities. Get involved.”

The coronavirus is not yet under control in the German capital. The city council of Berlin decided on Thursday to tighten the contact rules. From Friday, people may be outside with a maximum of two people between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., reports DPA news agency.

Daytime rules will change after Easter. At home and outside meetings, a maximum of five people from two different households is now allowed to come together, not including children. From Tuesday, only one person may visit another household. This is also no longer allowed after 9 p.m.