Corona: Virologist Streeck with gloomy prognosis: "We will not have herd immunity"

Virologist Henrik Streeck clearly rejects the hope of herd immunity.

Streeck relies on honest communication when it comes to vaccines.

Bonn - Germany is still quite behind when it comes to the vaccination quota.

62.7 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, according to the data on the vaccination dashboard (as of September 16, 2021).

The prospects for Corona autumn and winter are not good.

In Denmark, all corona measures were recently lifted with a vaccination rate of 80 percent.

In Germany, on the other hand, the intensive care units are filling up with seriously ill Covid patients - as of Thursday there are already over 1,500.

For comparison: A year ago on September 16, there were 234 corona patients who had to be treated in an intensive care unit.

Gloomy forecast for corona infection numbers in autumn and winter

"We have in the fall and winter with a significant increase in infection levels expected," says virologist Hendrik Streeck (44) in an interview with

ntv.de

.

Looking at other countries, the number of infections could be "than we have had so far." However, there is a tool, vaccination.

Virologist Streeck: "We have a tool"

The vaccination must be understood as self-protection in order to protect yourself from a difficult course.

The vaccine "protects against a severe course, it protects against hospitalization or even death." That can be seen in other countries, including Germany.

 “It is important to convince people that they want to be vaccinated themselves,” emphasizes the virologist.

In his opinion, this would not be possible with pressure or a simple request.

It is essential to explain "what the vaccine can and cannot do and that you communicate honestly."

"We will not have herd immunity" 

Virologist Hendirk Streeck

It is about keeping the hospitals free of corona patients and unfortunately not achieving herd immunity, says virologist Streeck.

The 44-year-old had previously

explained the subject of herd immunity

in an

ntv

conversation.

Corona in Germany: Virologist Streeck with gloomy prognosis: "We will not have herd immunity"

"We won't have herd immunity," says Streeck.

Because the vaccine just wouldn't protect against infection well enough.

Vaccinated people will also have an infection from time to time.

According to the Berlin virologist Christian Drosten, some people misunderstood the concept of herd immunity as part of the solution.

When asked whether increasing restrictions for unvaccinated people make sense, the virologist points to corona outbreaks in England and Münster.

There were also corona outbreaks there with the 2G rule (vaccinated and recovered).

But an outbreak in unvaccinated people has another dimension, according to the expert.

"If we have uncontrolled outbreaks in unvaccinated people, we tend to risk a superspreading event that quickly pushes the hospitals to their limits," emphasizes Streeck.

When it comes to corona, school and vaccination, Streeck becomes clear. It is important "that parents and teachers in particular get vaccinated, because they are more at risk of having a severe course." Coronavirus infection in children is milder, often asymptomatic. According to his prognosis, we have to expect infections in schools this autumn and winter as well. It is important to keep paying attention. The approval of a corona vaccine for children from the age of five is just around the corner, but the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) has to deal with it first.

Virologist Streeck had already warned two months ago of the dynamics of a fourth corona wave in autumn.

“We all have to get vaccinated so that we don't have a difficult course - protect ourselves,” appeals virologist Streeck in the 

ntv

conversation.

Because: "Unfortunately, we will not achieve herd immunity with this vaccine."

Karl Lauterbach already wrote off autumn 2021 at the end of July in view of the situation.

“The number of cases increases so much too soon.

The vaccination rate is not enough to prevent very high numbers of cases in autumn, ”wrote the epidemiologist and SPD health expert on Twitter.

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