Germany is halting the use of AstraZeneca Plc’s COVID-19 vaccine, joining a dozen or so other European countries taking the precautionary step amid concerns about its safety.

Germany is following a recommendation of the Paul Ehrlich Institute, which oversees vaccine safety, according to a statement from the health ministry.

The suspended rollout in some European Union countries over concerns about possible side effects could delay a goal of immunizing three-quarters of their populations against the resurgent coronavirus by as much as a month.