Who will be vaccinated against the coronavirus first – and why? Health Minister Spahn has now set an order. There are three prioritized groups – answers to important questions at a glance.
Who will be vaccinated first?
The vaccination ordinance divides citizens into three categories. In the first group (highest priority) there are those over 80 years of age, home residents, as well as all persons who work in care on an outpatient or inpatient basis. In addition, there are staff from medical facilities who are at increased risk of coming into contact with the virus. This applies to employees in intensive care units, in emergency rooms, in rescue services, as service providers for specialized outpatient palliative care and in vaccination centers.
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Then who’s next?
The second group (high priority) includes people over the age of 70 and people who have a high risk of serious or fatal disease after an infection due to possible previous illnesses, for example people with trisomy or dementia and people with intellectual disabilities. This also includes all those who look after you in close contact. People in asylum or homeless shelters also belong to this group. Here you can also find doctors and those employees in medical facilities with a high or increased risk of exposure, as well as police officers and other security forces.
The third group (increased priority) included those over 60 years of age, as well as teachers and educators, “people in precarious situations”, as well as those with previous illnesses such as diabetics, asthma patients, overweight people or those suffering from HIV. Pharmacists, firefighters and retail workers are also to be vaccinated last.
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When will the “normal” citizen be able to get vaccinated?
The statements differ, but certainly not before the summer. Some skeptics even assume that autumn can come. It remains to be seen, however, which other vaccines will be approved and which can then be delivered in large numbers. Health Minister Spahn asked the citizens to be patient: “That means for all of us: The winter will be long.”
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Why is this order necessary at all?
Because the vaccine isn’t enough for everyone. According to the ministry, a maximum of four million vaccine doses will be available across Germany by the end of January. All deliveries are distributed to the federal states according to their proportion of the population. Eleven to 13 million vaccine doses are expected for the entire first quarter. This means that the limited vaccines will initially only be available to those groups of people who have the highest risk of death in the event of infections, i.e. older people.
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Where can I get vaccinated?
First in the vaccination centers set up for this, from which each district should receive one. However, there will probably be little to do there at the beginning. Because first the mobile teams go to all nursing homes. According to the experts, this will take up to two months and depends on the availability of enough vaccine. Otherwise the whole action will be delayed. At the same time, vaccinations can also be carried out in the centers. Later it should also be possible in the doctor’s office.
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How often do I have to get vaccinated?
With the Biontec vaccine and Pfizer vaccine, two doses are given over a three week period.
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Who pays for the vaccination?
The federal government does that. The federal states and the health insurance funds finance the establishment and organization of the vaccination centers. The federal states and municipalities must ensure that sufficient personnel are available to operate the vaccination centers.
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Are possible side effects controlled?
The vaccine, which has already been extensively tested before approval, will also be tested for effectiveness, safety and duration of protection in the planned widespread use. Side effects can be reported to the Paul Ehrlich Institute responsible for vaccines.
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Is the effectiveness of the vaccination being researched?
The Ministry of Health has announced that it will set up an electronic reporting system. For example, non-personal data on vaccinations (age, gender, rural district, vaccination indication, location of vaccination, vaccination date, vaccine product, dose administered) should be transmitted directly from the vaccination centers to the RKI. In addition, the RKI is to carry out regular representative surveys on vaccination acceptance.
Information on the vaccination status is also sent to the RKI for reported corona cases. The effectiveness of the vaccination can then be roughly estimated by comparing the proportion of those vaccinated among the cases with the proportion of those vaccinated in the population.
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Are the vaccinations registered?
Yes, but this is done anonymously. Non-personal data is recorded on how many people, in which age group and where are vaccinated. An electronic reporting system will be set up for this.
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