French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Monday his country was suspending AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine from being administered in the country, out of precaution.

France's announcement came on the back of an earlier announcement from Germany, which also halted the administering of the vaccine.

A number of other countries in Europe have stopped administering the AstraZeneca shots either entirely or from specific batches, citing potential adverse effects including possible blood clots.

Some of those countries include Italy, Romania, Netherlands, Ireland, Bulgaria, Denmark and Norway.

(With input from agencies)