K. Lauterbach: In September in Germany the new vaccines for Omicron

On September 2 and September 28, the new vaccines against Covid-19 are expected in Germany, the first adapted to the variant BA.1 and the second to BA.5, announced the Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach.

“The federal government has taken care of sufficient quantities of both vaccines, so the vaccination campaign could begin immediately after they arrive,” Mr. Lauterbach added.

At the same time, the minister described as “a reason to be happy, but not to signal the end of the alarm” the steady decrease in the number of cases of the coronavirus found in Germany, but at the same time warned of a new wave of the pandemic in the autumn and of a particularly large number of undiagnosed cases infections.

“The next wave is expected in the autumn and it is important to decide in advance the new rules that will come into force,” Karl Lauterbach said during a press conference he gave earlier today, soon after he himself recovered from the coronavirus.

According to the minister, the new, adapted vaccines will be available within September – on September 2 the vaccine for the BA.1 variant and on the 28th of the month the preparation for the BA.5 variant. The states, he pointed out, are absolutely ready to start the vaccination campaign right away.

Mr Lauterbach said his ministry aimed to have the new rules come into force by October 1, which would include state governments being able to mandate the use of face masks indoors – with the exception of those with valid vaccination/disease certificate or test of the same 24 hours.

The obligation to wear a mask on public transport and for a mask and test in hospitals, elderly care units and rehabilitation centers remains in force, he stressed, while he appeared confident that next winter at least attendance at restaurants will require the presentation of a certificate.

Referring to the provision for vaccination/intelligence certificates to last three months, which caused serious reactions, the Minister of Health and Professor of Epidemiology clarified that “in no sense is this equivalent to a recommendation for vaccination every three months”.

Such a thing “doesn’t even make medical sense,” explained Mr. Lauterbach, and said that the three months are designated as an exemption period only because, according to current scientific knowledge, known vaccines protect against infection for that time. “They protect against severe progression of the disease for much longer,” he added.

As for whether or not a fourth vaccine makes sense, Karl Lauterbach advised citizens to consult their doctor.

With information from AMPE