Lauterbach warns of a possible corona “killer variant”: mutation intervals are getting shorter and shorter

Created: 04/18/2022, 12:38 p.m

By: Bettina Menzel

Karl Lauterbach (SPD), Federal Minister of Health, speaks to representatives of the press in front of the Nordfriesland Clinic.

He told the "Bild am Sonntag" that it is quite possible that "we will get a highly contagious omicron variant that is as deadly as Delta." © picture alliance/dpa |

Axel Heimken

Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach expects an omicron vaccine in September - but at the same time warns of a possible "killer variant" of the corona virus.

Berlin – The new corona infections are falling.

As of Sunday morning, the seven-day incidence nationwide was 834 per 100,000 people.

The omicron variant of the coronavirus is considered highly contagious, but is usually mild.

The health expert and Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) now warns that a new variant could develop: highly contagious like omicron and deadly like delta.

Corona situation: Lauterbach warns of a possible killer variant of the corona virus

Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach expects that a corona vaccine adapted to the omicron variant can be used from September during the corona pandemic.

"We'll get vaccine that protects against the omicron variants.

We expect that in September," said Lauterbach of the

Lauterbach said vaccine against Delta variants is available.

“Our goal is to have enough vaccine for every citizen, no matter what variant comes.

Then we'll have an antidote for both an omicron and a delta variant.” Then you're prepared for anything.

According to the SPD politician and epidemiologist, various omicron subvariants are currently developing that would give cause for concern.

Lauterbach warned that the intervals at which new variants replaced the old ones were becoming ever shorter.

“This means that we are less and less able to prepare for the mutations.

It's entirely possible we'll get a highly contagious Omicron variant as deadly as Delta.

That would be an absolute killer option.”

Next Corona wave in autumn: Lauterbach for quick adjustment of the Infection Protection Act

Lauterbach advocated changes to the Infection Protection Act as quickly as possible in order to be able to enforce a mask requirement indoors again in autumn.

"The situation will change again in autumn, then the cases will increase, then there will probably be new mutations or the number of cases with omicron infections will increase sharply.

That's why we have to revise the Infection Protection Act again by then."

It could then “be absolutely necessary and legally achievable again that we make wearing masks indoors compulsory again.” Lauterbach also believes that such a development is due to the rejection of compulsory vaccination: “The failure of compulsory vaccination was a bitter disappointment,” emphasized the minister.

“After a good summer, the large vaccination gap can mean a tough autumn.

Then many scientists expect the next waves.”

Reports that eleven million doses of vaccine will soon have to be destroyed were rejected by Lauterbach: "That's not true.

Depending on how many people want a fourth vaccination, only a maximum of four million doses expire.”