Even if true (and apparently some German officials are saying it isn't), the contracts go through the end of 2021 is my understanding, so that makes these announcements a bit less significant than the headlines suggests.

To be honest, it seems like there is an argument to be made that the rich countries _should_ stop buying the J&J and AZ vaccines, except perhaps to donate to poorer countries, because the mRNA vaccines are much more challenging for poorer countries to use (multiple doses, refrigeration more challenging). I wonder if the focus on (very rare) side effects is part of an effort to lay the groundwork for doing that without a huge backlash from rich country citizens.