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Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD)
Photo: Filip Singer / EPA
Due to the high corona numbers, Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) is promoting a fourth corona vaccination for all people over the age of 60 throughout the EU.
»We must not forget that the Covid pandemic is not over in Europe.
We have a very high number of cases, unfortunately we also have a very high number of deaths, "said the SPD politician on the sidelines of consultations with his EU colleagues in Brussels.
He wanted to initiate a discussion "whether we shouldn't get a European recommendation for the fourth dose of vaccination for people over the age of 60".
In this age group, mortality could be reduced by another 80 percent compared to the third dose, according to data from Israel, Lauterbach said.
The EU Commission should be asked to make a corresponding recommendation in cooperation with the European Medicines Agency, for example.
“As far as the pandemic is concerned, the situation in Europe is worse than people feel,” said Lauterbach.
The war in Ukraine is also attracting attention.
Development of variant-adapted vaccines is delayed
Lauterbach emphasized that there is currently a lot of vaccine in Europe that is not missing anywhere.
The take-off from lower-income countries is halting.
“So we have to fear that vaccines in Europe will have to be destroyed.” The vaccine from Moderna or Biontech/Pfizer is an option for the fourth dose – i.e. the second “booster” after basic protection.
To his knowledge, the development of vaccines that are adapted to new corona variants is being delayed, said Lauterbach.
He expects the new vaccines in the fall, possibly in September.
In Germany, the fourth dose is currently recommended for people over the age of 70 and for people with risk factors such as immune deficiencies.
Nothing will change about that, said Lauterbach.
The only question is whether the age limit will be lowered.
However, the fourth dose cannot be recommended for those under 60 because there is no data on this.
With a view to Germany, Lauterbach had already spoken out in favor of taking a more offensive approach to fourth vaccinations last week.
So far, only ten percent of people who are eligible for a fourth vaccination have had it.
col/dpa