Germany-experts: Improvement of the situation since Easter, coronavirus endemic in 2022

The situation will improve from Easter to summer, and within a year we will probably reach the endemic phase of the coronavirus pandemic, said the head of the Department of Virology at the University Hospital of Berlin Charité Christian Dosten, who predicted that vaccination with a new, adjusted booster dose, which will be available in the second quarter of 2022. Health Minister Carl Lauterbach, for his part, stressed that there was no reason to end the alarm and warned that “Omicron” would not be the last variant. and a new variant in the fall could be much more dangerous and contagious.

“In the autumn there will again be vulnerable people and in addition many will have lost their protection because there will be a new variant. A new variant could also be much more dangerous and contagious, we do not know that. At the moment we are falling far short of “Children are mainly given a lot in order to protect the unvaccinated. In return, we can also ask them to be vaccinated. They are thus protected from serious illness and we can start our lives over again. Omicron is not the last variant.” said Health Minister Carl Lauterbach during a press conference and reiterated his call for vaccination of the population. The Minister of Health also noted that the measures to reduce the pandemic are working, but there is no reason for them to relax or end the alarm. Germany has managed to significantly slow down the number of cases doubling compared to other countries, he said, stressing at the same time that the vaccination gap is severe, as is the percentage of unvaccinated adults. Indicatively, he mentioned that in the category over 60 years old alone, there are three million unvaccinated people in the country. The head of the Robert Koch Institute, Lothar Wheeler, pointed out that although the cases of “Omicron” are milder, due to the large number of cases, it is estimated that both hospitalizations and deaths will increase. He even clarified that there is a significant underreporting of cases, as many laboratories and health services have been seriously burdened. As a result, he added, tracking contacts will be even more difficult. Karl Lauterbach added: “We can not let this wave just pass. Many people will die and hospitals will reach their limits.”

Christian Drosten, for his part, described the “Omicron” variant as a special case, which requires adapted vaccine protection. “Within the second trimester there will be an update to vaccinate against new and older variants. Immunities will overlap, but protection from both variants will be needed because someone who has recovered from Omicron is not immune “We may need to offer it to a large part of the population, perhaps to the whole,” he said. Mr Lauterbach also noted that the German government’s contracts with BioNTech also provide for customized versions of the vaccine, which he said would be ready by March and that EMA would consider in May. “We want the approval to be given as soon as possible and we are in talks on that,” he said. Regarding the Novavax vaccine, the Minister of Health stated that it will be available for use on February 21.

Regarding the planned compulsory vaccination, the minister – and professor of epidemiology – and the other two scientists were in favor of introducing a vaccination obligation, in order, as they said, to save human lives. “If anyone feels that such a thing is necessary, which is also calculated, as vaccination is very safe, he must also act,” Lauterbach said, adding that he, personally and as an MP, was in favor of the general obligation. vaccination for citizens over 18 years of age. However, answering a relevant question, he noted that as Minister of Health he considers that he should not take an official position in view of the debate that will be held in the Federal Parliament. Referring to the opponents of vaccination, he stated that it is not right for them to be demoted or treated differently. “The question is whether someone will have to be vaccinated – and they will be,” he said, adding that harsh measures against those who are not vaccinated, especially fines, will only make the front against vaccination tougher. “Those who have not been vaccinated so far will find it difficult to change their attitude,” Lothar Wheeler said. “Citizens will either understand or just be vaccinated. “To achieve more vaccinations and save more lives. If that happens with compulsory vaccination, then this is the right way.” The need to fill the vaccination gap was highlighted by Christian Drosten, who, however, estimated that by the end of the year we will reach the endemic phase of the pandemic and the virus will not be so dangerous. “But we must not forget: vaccination delays the virus and at some point it becomes too slow. And then the endemic situation is achieved,” he added.

Regarding the protection measures, the Minister of Health demanded a stricter application of what has already been decided and a systematic control of the certificates. Especially for the use of the protective mask, he stressed that it remains very important, as even if someone becomes infected wearing a mask, the viral load will be weaker, a very important element for the progression of the disease.

Source: AMPE