In order to avoid further serious illnesses and corona deaths, the vaccination rate would have to be over 85 percent. Drosten attested indifference to the population.
Berlin – The current vaccination quota in Germany will not be sufficient for an autumn without renewed contact restrictions against the further spread of the coronavirus *, according to the prognosis of the virologist Christian Drosten * from the Charité in Berlin. In the NDR podcast “The Coronavirus Update”, the 49-year-old warned of another high level of stress in hospitals and intensive care units. “Going calmly into autumn” is a “daring idea”, says Drosten.
His reason: According to RKI calculations, at least 85 percent of 12- to 59-year-olds and 90 percent of seniors over 60 years of age would have to be fully vaccinated so that a pronounced new wave with full intensive care units in autumn and winter is unlikely. In reality it is just 61 percent of the total population, and the trend has barely increased for weeks. For those over 60, who were the first to have access to the corona vaccines *, the vaccination rate is just 83 percent.
Drosten sees “indifference” among the population: Corona vaccination rate is too low
Among adults between 18 and 60 years of age, 65 percent of the population are vaccinated, among children and adolescents between 12 and 17, to whom the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) only recommended vaccination in August *, it is currently 21 percent, at least this is increasing here Due to the high willingness to vaccinate, the trend is currently continuing. Drosten was optimistic about the question of a new school closure *: “That should be seen as extremely positive. We have a young, intelligent section of the population here. “
The reason for the stagnating vaccination numbers Drosten makes a certain “indifference in the population”. Compared to other countries such as Portugal or Spain, where people have had a “terrible social experience” behind them and a real lockdown with curfews and patrolling military units had been ordered to prevent the virus from spreading, the readiness to get vaccinated is significantly lower in this country. “We didn’t experience that in Germany. I don’t think we can simulate this experience in Germany afterwards, ”said Drosten.
Corona vaccinations in Germany are stagnating: Drosten sees a difficult task for politics
Drosten does not assume that Germany will go much further with the vaccination quota by addressing the population. In the NDR podcast, he predicted that “politics will have a difficult task ahead of them and will soon have to consistently make decisions.” In this context, Drosten was also asked about the option of compulsory vaccination *.
Although the majority of Covid patients in hospitals are not vaccinated, the serious consequences of corona disease continue to threaten those who have not been vaccinated. Difficult times could come again in hospitals: In the normal wards, Covid 19 patients would then compete for treatment capacities with sick people who have other needs.
With increasing incidences, there will also be intensive cases among younger people, added Drosten. Experience from England with high incidences in the delta wave also gave Drosten food for thought. There were more hospital admissions and deaths there than he would have expected, said the virologist. “There is still more of the risk of dying.” (Ska / dpa) * fr.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
Rubriklistenbild: © Christian Charisius/dpa
