BERLIN: A German mayor was suspended by his own city council after it emerged he had received a coronavirus vaccination in January, despite not being in a priority group, The News reported.

A majority of 34 councilors voted to temporarily suspend Bernd Wiegand, mayor of the central city of Halle, it said.

Wiegand, 64, had previously admitted to receiving the vaccine in January, at a time when it was still only available to older citizens, according to The News.

Other city employees and councilors also reportedly received a jab before their turn.

The mayor denied that he had acted illegally or immorally.

(With inputs from Agencies)