Timo Lenzen / DER SPIEGEL
Dear readers,
For years, the Stiko was the favorite enemy of vaccination opponents.
The permanent vaccination commission, in Germany responsible for recommending vaccines, was nothing more than an extension of the pharmaceutical industry for them;
an assembly of obedient handicrafts disguised as a scientific body, which, in case of doubt, put profit above the health of the people.
This week, the Stiko suddenly found herself in an unfamiliar role. While politicians from all parties pushed for the recommendation of Covid-19 vaccinations for children between 12 and 17 years of age, the experts disagreed. Because there is so far insufficient data on how the very few people who suffered heart muscle and pericardial inflammation as a result of the vaccination are doing, the scientists hesitated to make their decision. And this despite the fact that comparable bodies in other countries, for example the ACIP in the USA, had recommended vaccination for this age group.
Politicians were not interested in this: on Monday the impatient health ministers of the federal states decided that children between 12 and 17 years of age should be offered an offer in the vaccination centers from now on - regardless of the recommendation of the Stiko.
It remains to be seen whether it was wise not to wait a few more days for the experts to make a judgment based on the expected data.
Because of the early decision of the politicians, the recommendation of the Stiko, which is expected in the next few days, is definitely contaminated.
Can Stiko still decide freely at all?
Or maybe she just bows to the pressure (this time from politics)?
Parents who are considering whether to have their children vaccinated may suddenly ask themselves these questions - even if they have not yet been opposed to vaccination.
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What you need to know about vaccinations in children
Vaccination campaign: Health ministers decide on vaccinations for children from the age of twelve
The corona vaccines from Moderna and Biontech will in future be offered to all adolescents from the age of 12.
The federal and state health ministers have also decided to give booster vaccinations for risk groups.
Stiko boss Mertens: "Those who want to be vaccinated can do it - we made it possible."
Politicians are pushing for Covid vaccinations for all 12 to 17 year olds - but the Standing Vaccination Commission is still advising on the recommendation for the age group .
Stiko boss Mertens speaks of a »representative discussion«.
Health minister on vaccination for 12 to 17 year olds: "This decision is not directed against the Stiko"
For weeks, politicians urged the Stiko to change its recommendation.
Now they have decided on a vaccination campaign.
However, the health ministers do not see a dissent with the scientists.
Protection against corona: parents' representatives warn against vaccination as a prerequisite for attending school
Will only children and adolescents
who have been vaccinated against the corona
virus take part in classroom lessons in the future?
Parent representatives see this critically.
At the start of the school year: Teachers' union wants vaccination offers in front of schools
First an injection, then to class: With vaccination offers directly in front of the school buildings, the Education and Science Union wants to make education safer.
This is how the school year starts
School start in Hamburg: Will go wrong
257,000 children will come back to schools in Hamburg on Thursday.
The authority has ordered air filters, but they haven't arrived yet.
A headmistress is relaxed, parents' representatives and a pediatrician tend not to.
North Rhine-Westphalia: Teachers 'Association warns against returning to alternating and distance learning
The president of the teachers' association in North Rhine-Westphalia wants to avoid distance learning after the summer vacation.
"That would be damage that we can no longer make up for."
And what about the boost?
Fourth wave: Anyone who needs a booster vaccination in autumn
The WHO recommends waiting until the end of September with third
vaccinations
.
Science, on the other hand, says: better sooner than later.
What speaks for the booster vaccination - and what against it.
Corona: World Health Organization demands a moratorium on third-party vaccinations
In Germany, there is a discussion about giving some people a third vaccine
dose
.
The World Health Organization warns that the vaccines should only be used to vaccinate risk groups around the world.
Covid-19 in worldwide numbers
Confirmed Cases: 201,106,458.
Deaths: 4,271,616
Germany: 3,784,433 confirmed sick people, 91,754 deaths
Sources: CSSE / Johns Hopkins University, as of August 6, 2021, 2:21 pm;
Robert Koch Institute, as of August 6, 2021, 3:14 a.m.
Research news
Rare corona vaccination breakthroughs: Why vaccinated people become infected - and what that means
The corona vaccines prevent severe disease progression, but even vaccinated people can sometimes become infected and infect others.
How dangerous is that - also with a view to Delta?
Answers to the most important questions.
Dangerous Delta variant: Corona risk for pregnant women has increased according to a British study
A study of 3300 women indicates that pregnant women are more likely to develop Covid-19 more often than a year ago.
But vaccinations also seem to protect them well.
British study: Most children and adolescents recover quickly from Covid-19
headache, exhaustion, sore throat, fever and loss of smell - these are the most common Covid-19 symptoms in adolescents, according to a British study.
The good news: the complaints rarely last long.
Doctor on respiratory diseases in children: "This is extraordinary for the summer and in this accumulation"
Colds, coughs, fever: an unusually large number of children are currently struggling with colds and similar infections.
Doctor Iris Eckhardt says which pathogens are behind it and what Corona has to do with it.
Corona pandemic: the danger of vaccination breakthroughs
The delta variant could make vaccinated people just as contagious as unvaccinated - this is suggested by a report by the US epidemic protection agency.
A "superspreading event" in Massachusetts is particularly worrying.
What else was important
Vacation for single parents:
Why the
vacation season is the most stressful of the year - and what has to change
Vacation without childcare and with full responsibility for the children is hardly a vacation for single parents.
A relaxed break is particularly important for them.
But economics and politics don't care.
"Lateral thinkers" movement: the authorities no longer rule out even terrorism.
The Corona protest movement has become smaller - but more radical.
Part of society could turn away from democracy permanently.
How should the other part deal with it?
RKI weekly report: seven-day incidence rises earlier and faster than in summer 2020
The Robert Koch Institute observes a further increase in the incidence in young people.
And: returnees from Spain cause problems.
The weekly report at a glance.
Compulsory vaccination debate: "What one prescribes arouses suspicion"
Should the state prescribe corona vaccination or be voluntary?
The medical historian Karl-Heinz Leven on the experience of Germans with compulsory vaccination against smallpox.
One affected person about his long-term coronavirus consequences: "My fears overwhelm me"
Martin Bergmann was infected with Corona and almost died in the process.
Since then he has not found his way back to life.
Here he tells his story.
Have a nice weekend
Yours Michail Hengstenberg