Lack (again) of vaccines in Germany

Even the new Minister of Health could not believe that his predecessor did not order enough vaccines for the booster dose. Omicron did not say the last word.

The epidemiological data of the last days cause feelings of restrained optimism. The number of new infections is gradually declining. And while the trend is not related to fatigue and lack of staff in case counting services, the decline seems to be real. But, as experts fear, the Omicron variant will soon overturn the positive image. Although 100 cases of this variant have been reported in Germany according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), countries such as South Africa, Britain or Denmark are showing a way, which they will most likely take. Germany.

Omicron has not said her last word

“The Omicron wave will come,” epidemiologist Timo Ulrichs told NTV. “L κραnder with low vaccination rates are likely to be hit hardest. And the unvaccinated will be the first to be hit by Omicron. The new wave could reach its peak in Germany in January and February. but it is not a destiny, we can influence when it will come and how high the wave will be “. The epidemiologist’s statements make the need for a booster dose even more urgent, but vaccines are still not enough for everyone. And next quarter there will be a shortage. Even the new Minister of Health, Karl Lauterbach, was surprised by this finding, when one of his first actions, taking over the portfolio from the hands of Jens Span’s predecessor, was to make an inventory of existing vaccines. In fact, he informed his colleagues in the 16 L .nder and the public about it yesterday from last night’s television news magazine Tagesthemen.

“The situation is extremely difficult, I always praised my predecessor, but in the first quarter of the new year we will have a significant shortage of vaccines,” he said, adding that he was already working on a solution and hoped to be able to send positive messages in the coming days. “Efforts go through all available channels, we can leave nothing out. I also use the channels we have directly with companies, but everything should work in a way compatible with the EU,” he said. “We need to gain speed, so I’ve been trying on many levels since the weekend.” “Lauterbach should not always praise his predecessor,” Spiegel said sharply, referring to a “vaccination prank.”

“In a few weeks the updated vaccines”

But the government’s partners, the Liberals, also blamed Jens Spann for the lack of vaccines. “Span has always said that there are enough vaccines,” Christina Assenberg-Dunnus told Bild. “The fact that he ordered so little is shocking and a scandal.” On the contrary, the Christian Democratic Party, to which the former health minister belongs, defended him. ” “Christian Democrat Tino Zorge objected to the same newspaper. Vaccine shortages have also been criticized by insurance fund doctors.” “Those who are fighting the pandemic in their clinics with all their might,” said Andreas Gassen, president of the Federal Union of Health Funds, in today’s issue of Bild. Klaus Reinhard, president of the Federal Medical Association, said he was shocked to hear the news. “When one hears that there are deficiencies in the booster dose, one is left speechless,” he told German radio station Deutschlandfunk. “It is inconceivable in a country like Germany that the logistics structures do not work, I was speechless when I heard the news.”

The Committee of Experts met for the first time yesterday, promising to present its first opinion on the Omicron variant by Christmas. Paul Ehrlich Institute President Klaus Tsitsutek estimates that it will take another three to four months to develop vaccines adapted to treat the Omicron variant. “The pharmaceutical companies, which make vaccines using mRNA technology, Biotech and Moderna, have hinted that in a matter of weeks they will be able to replenish their stocks and dispense millions of vaccines,” Neuen Osnabrucker told the newspaper.

Irini Anastassopoulou

Source: Deutsche Welle