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Photo: IMAGO/Emmanuele Contini
The federal government wants to enable all interested citizens to have a fourth corona vaccination by autumn and is purchasing new vaccines on a large scale for this purpose.
"We would like to offer a fourth vaccination to all those who need or want it," announced Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.
A strategy adopted by the Federal Cabinet therefore envisages a further 830 million euros in order to procure a preparation announced by the manufacturer Moderna, which works in different variants at the same time.
At a meeting of the G7 heads of departments in Berlin, the focus should be on better strategies for global health crises.
Lauterbach admitted that there is currently a "surplus" of vaccine doses in Germany - and that the planned ordering of further vaccines is likely to mean that older vaccines expire.
But this was "founded in the matter," he said.
“We cannot yet predict which variants we will have to contend with in the fall.” That is why the government has to prepare for all eventualities by ordering vaccines.
Sufficient vaccine is available through contracts with the old government, which works against the original variant including the delta variant.
A second vaccine from Biontech, purely adapted to the Omicron variant, has also been ordered.
In addition, a preparation prepared by Moderna that works on both virus types should now be procured.
Lauterbach emphasized that one lesson learned from the pandemic is never to have too little vaccine again.
He announced a vaccination campaign with a view to the fall.
Anyone who needs or wants it should also be able to be offered a fourth vaccination.
In order to be able to vaccinate as quickly as possible, the vaccination centers should be continued and supported by the federal government with up to 100 million euros per month.
