Scientists advising the World Health Organisation have recommended the use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine for all adults.
It is already being administered in the UK and was given authorisation for use across the European Union on Friday.
The WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation has issued interim recommendations on the vaccine, saying that the jab could be given to people aged 18 and above “without an upper age limit”.
“That means people over the age of 65 years of age should be given the vaccination,” Dr Alejandro Cravioto, chair of the advisory group, told a press briefing.
Health officials in Germany, France, Italy, Sweden and Poland have advised against its use for older age groups. Switzerland’s medical regulator has said it cannot authorise use of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine.
Dr Claus Bolte, head of authorisation at SwissMedic, said it had requested more information from AstraZeneca after deciding not to sign-off the use of the jab.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme last week his team was “not satisfied with the data we have received”.