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Cologne (dpa) - The provisional Astrazeneca vaccination freeze has surprised municipalities.
According to the city, 117 Astrazeneca vaccination doses had to be discarded in the Cologne vaccination center on Monday because they had already been opened and could no longer be stored.
"Vaccine drawn up may only be used for a few hours," said a city spokeswoman on Tuesday.
First of all, up to and including Saturday, all vaccination appointments at which Astrazeneca should be used have been canceled.
That is 8706 appointments.
The city emphasizes that the dates for the Biontech vaccinations are scheduled to take place.
Cologne's Lord Mayor Henriette Reker (independent) expects clarification as soon as possible as to whether and when the Astrazeneca vaccine can continue.
"I think the federal government's stop to vaccinations with Astrazeneca is extremely regrettable because it slows our vaccination efforts for the time being," she said.
As soon as there is clarity again, the city of Cologne will try to increase the capacities of the vaccination center so that vaccinations can be caught up.
"We want to avoid delays in the vaccination campaign in Cologne."
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210316-99-846796 / 2