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Photo: M. Popow / imago images / Metodi Popow
With immediate effect, the federal states want to implement the recommendation of the Standing Vaccination Commission to administer an mRNA preparation as a second dose after an initial vaccination with Astrazeneca.
Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) said this at a press conference after the meeting of federal and state health ministers.
The combination of a first vaccination with AstraZeneca and a second vaccination with Biontech or Moderna offers "very, very high vaccination protection," said Spahn.
The combination protects at least as well as two vaccinations with the Biontech vaccine, said Spahn.
However, all other approved vaccines are also safe and provide good protection.
The interval can be shortened to four weeks
Spahn emphasized that with the combination, the interval between the first and second vaccination could be shortened to up to four weeks.
This is an advantage, as people who want to be vaccinated can quickly protect themselves against the delta variant through complete immunization.
He hoped that the combination option would make the AstraZeneca vaccine more "attractive" and that large deliveries would be due in the coming weeks that could be used for initial vaccinations.
"The more vaccinations in summer, the better autumn will be," said the Minister.
Germany will get enough mRNA vaccine in the next few days to be able to implement the recommendation quickly.
In some areas, however, this could take a while.
Stiko adjusted the vaccination recommendation
Because of the rapid spread of the more contagious Delta variant in Germany, the Stiko adjusted its vaccination recommendation on Thursday.
For example, people who have received a first dose of AstraZeneca will in future receive an mRNA vaccine such as Biontech or Moderna as a second injection, regardless of age.
The interval between the first and second dose should be at least four weeks.
The immune response after the administration of two different preparations - first vector, then mRNA vaccine - is "clearly superior" to that after two doses of AstraZeneca.
Experts speak of a heterologous vaccination schedule.
Stiko had previously only recommended this to younger people who had already received an initial vaccination with AstraZeneca before this vaccine was only recommended for those aged 60 and over who would like to be vaccinated.
More soon at spiegel.de
slü / AFP