Novavax in Germany: Distribution can start - but the first country has already put a damper on hopes
Created: 02/20/2022, 10:49 p.m
By: Yasina Hipp
A dose of the Nuvaxovid vaccine from US manufacturer Novavax.
© imago/Martin Wagner
At the beginning of this week (February 21st) the first Novavax deliveries will arrive in Germany.
When the first doses are vaccinated is left to the countries.
Berlin - The evening before, a spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of Health confirmed: "We expect the first delivery from Monday (February 21st)."
A few days earlier, Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) had also confirmed the delivery of 1.4 million doses of the vaccine Nuvaxovid from the American manufacturer Novavax.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), 75.1 percent of the German population are currently vaccinated twice and 56.2 percent have already received their booster vaccination.
Novavax is now intended to reach those who have previously been skeptical about the mRNA vaccines from Biontech and Moderna.
But how exactly does the vaccination start with Novavax work?
Novavax vaccine: The first doses are to be vaccinated at the beginning of March
According to the Federal Ministry of Health, as soon as the deliveries have arrived in Germany, the first Nuvaxovid injections against the corona virus should be issued at the beginning of March.
The Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) recommends the vaccine for people aged 18 and over, with two doses at least three weeks apart.
In total, up to 34 million vaccine doses are expected to reach Germany in 2022.
In Rhineland-Palatinate it has been possible to register for a vaccination appointment with Nuvaxovid for a good month now.
According to information from
Bild
, around 14,500 people (as of February 15, 2022) used the registration.
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, registration has been open since February 9, but according to the dpa, the social department there says: "Unfortunately, the registrations are falling short of expectations."
Novavax vaccine: Preferred for certain group of people
According to the health ministers of the federal states, Nuvaxovid should initially be given preferentially to employees in care and clinics who have not yet been vaccinated.
Vaccination is compulsory for this group of people from mid-March.
The American manufacturer's vaccine is based on classic technology and is considered to be well tolerated.
It contains virus-like particles that contain the spike protein of the coronavirus and thereby provides an immune system response.
However, how well the remedy protects against omicron is not yet known.
(
dpa
)
