The number of coronavirus infections in Germany is already rising again before autumn. Experts assume that the trend will be further exacerbated by people returning from vacation. The Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) emphasizes that vaccinations remain an important pillar in protecting the population.
According to a media report, the BMG has therefore ordered a total of 15 million vaccine doses for this autumn and winter. “We will have a lot of infections again,” Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) told the newspapers of the Funke Media Group. Corona remains a threat, especially for the elderly and high-risk patients, who together make up a quarter of the population. He therefore recommends that everyone in this group get a booster vaccination.
It remains to be seen whether we will need another vaccine over the course of the winter that will have to be adapted to a variant that is spreading in the USA.
Karl LauterbachFederal Minister of Health (SPD)
“There will probably be two adapted vaccines this fall and winter,” Lauterbach continued. First, the company Biontech will deliver six million doses of a vaccine adapted to the JN.1 variant currently prevalent in Germany. “It is still an open question whether we will need another vaccine over the course of the winter that has to be adapted to a variant that is widespread in the USA.” Germany is also prepared for this. In addition, there will again be protein vaccines this winter for people who do not want to take an mRNA vaccine.
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians welcomed the purchase of the vaccine doses. “This means that a vaccine adapted to the currently prevalent corona variants will be available in time for the start of autumn,” said board member Sibylle Steiner to the Tagesspiegel. However, it is incomprehensible why the federal government is still unable to provide individual doses. For adults, one bottle contains vaccine for ten people. For small children, there are vials with three doses. For the practices, this still means a considerable additional organizational effort, said Steiner.
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In the last week of July, pharmacists pointed out that there was much to suggest that the number of corona cases would continue to rise by the end of the school holidays at the latest. Corona activity in Germany has been increasing since mid-May, said the head of the North Rhine Pharmacists’ Association, Thomas Preis. “It is to be expected that many returning travelers will bring the virus with them. At the moment, the typical travel destinations on the Mediterranean in particular are reporting rising numbers of corona cases,” said Preis.
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A week ago, the BMG announced that the JN .1 subline KP.3 was currently predominant in Germany, accounting for around 55 percent. According to data from the week of June 24, the subline KP2 had a share of 23 percent.
There is currently no evidence that these variants cause more severe infections or different symptoms than other circulating virus variants, it said. In addition, they encounter a high level of basic immunity in the population through vaccinations and infections.
More on the topic of Corona at Tagesspiegel Plus:
Open questions about Corona What is the next step in research into the virus? Corona in summer The virus will also keep us busy in the warmer months Covid-19 as a holiday memory How great is the risk of contracting Corona abroad?
The Standing Committee on Vaccination (Stiko) recommends that particularly vulnerable groups receive an annual booster vaccination in the autumn. This should provide the best possible protection during the expected infection season.
The groups include people aged 60 and over and those aged six months and over with an underlying disease that is associated with an increased risk of a severe course of Covid-19. (lem/csg)
