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Who's it and when? Booster vaccination debate

2021-11-17T18:33:51.150Z


The so-called booster vaccination is an important component in the fight against the corona crisis, which is worsening again. But there is a lot of uncertainty. Who's it and when?


The so-called booster vaccination is an important component in the fight against the corona crisis, which is worsening again.

But there is a lot of uncertainty.

Who's it and when?

Berlin - In the debate about so-called booster vaccinations, the Executive Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) called for “a national effort”.

Scientific knowledge and experience from Israel showed that one could break the wave with “booster” vaccinations, she said on Wednesday.

For most people it is currently unclear who can pick up such a vaccination and when.

The State of Berlin demanded clear legal rules from the Executive Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) to enable all people over the age of 18 to have a booster vaccination against Corona.

So far, the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) has recommended booster vaccinations mainly for people over 70, for people with immunodeficiency, residents of care facilities and staff in medical facilities and nursing staff.

Politicians and a number of other experts are urging booster vaccinations for everyone over the age of 18 in view of the sharp rise in the number of infections.

How to handle the rush?

The Stiko chairman Thomas Mertens announced on Tuesday evening in the ZDF program “Markus Lanz” that the recommendation would be expanded soon.

In addition, there is also discussion as to when a booster vaccination makes sense and how an onslaught of those who want to be vaccinated can best be managed.

Spahn and the head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Andreas Gassen, wrote a letter to all contract doctors in Germany in favor of enabling the booster vaccination, even if the last vaccination, as previously recommended, was not six months ago.

It is a "time guide".

In the letter, the doctors are asked to proceed flexibly “to simplify the processes”.

"You can therefore vaccinate every patient over the age of 18 (...) promptly and even before the six months are up at your own discretion." A spokesman for the Federal Ministry of Health explained that the aim of the letter was that patients go to the vaccination doctor earlier, not - as happened too often recently - would be turned away.

Uniform national anchoring required

Berlin's Senator for Health Dilek Kalayci (SPD) tweeted on Wednesday in response to the letter: "A loose letter is NOT a uniform, clear regulation!"

Hesse's Prime Minister Volker Bouffier (CDU) also called for a nationwide uniform regulation on the subject.

In the meantime, the federal states have already made their own regulations: In Berlin, for example, people in Berlin will be able to be vaccinated again five months after their last corona vaccination instead of the previous six months.

In addition, a state regulation for the so-called booster vaccination had been made, it said on Wednesday from the health administration after the "Tagesspiegel" reported about it.

also read

Third syringes against Corona: Ministerial letter in the drawer

The booster vaccinations against Corona are already running at full speed in old people's homes and doctor's practices, despite a lack of general recommendation from the Standing Vaccination Commission.

According to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on Thursday, over 185,000 people in North Rhine-Westphalia have already received a booster vaccination.

Within one day almost 14.

Third syringes against Corona: Ministerial letter in the drawer

Corona restrictions are no longer applicable in several federal states

Despite the feared increase in the number of infections in autumn and winter, the corona restrictions in some federal states are ending.

SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach warns.

Corona restrictions are no longer applicable in several federal states

Stiko boss Mertens: pressure because of child vaccination is "absurd"

The Stiko chairman Mertens expects a “wave of political pressure” with a view to vaccinating younger children - and sees the problem more with vaccination fatigue in the elderly.

Stiko boss Mertens: pressure because of child vaccination is "absurd"

Bavaria also reported that booster vaccinations should be given in the Free State five months after the completion of the first series of vaccinations.

The Ministry of Health in Munich had already asked the vaccination centers in Bavaria in writing on Monday evening to give all interested parties a booster vaccination after five months.

In the letter, the ministry emphasized that rejections should "if possible not take place".

Prioritization necessary

SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach asked Stiko to prioritize: “If we open the booster to everyone without restrictions, we will put the prioritization in the hands of the practices. With 30,000 medical practices that means 30,000 different priorities, ”Lauterbach told the editorial network in Germany. “The Stiko should clearly determine which group is next.” He advocated prioritizing those over 70 and 60, and then also those over 50.

Various doctors spoke out on Wednesday at an expert briefing by the Science Media Center Germany on the situation in the intensive care units and in favor of consistent booster vaccinations.

"This booster vaccination is life-saving, especially for older and immunocompromised patients," said Stefan Kluge, Director of the Clinic for Intensive Care Medicine at the University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf.

According to a Berlin corona modeler, such vaccinations could reverse the trend of the sharply rising corona numbers on a broad front.

"We see clearly infection-reducing effects in the simulations as soon as around 30 percent of the population has received the booster," said Kai Nagel from the Technical University of Berlin to the newspapers of the Funke media group.

If we manage this 30 percent well before Christmas, then there is a prospect of falling incidences at Christmas. ”So far, around five percent of people in Germany have received a booster vaccination.

dpa

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-11-17

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