The Frankfurt virologist Ciesek warns: Nobody should feel safe after the first vaccination, the immune system absolutely needs the second dose. But Ciesek is also optimistic.
Frankfurt / Hamburg (dpa) – Frankfurt virologist Sandra Ciesek is confident that the corona situation in Germany will ease.
“I think we are on the right track,” said the director of the Institute for Medical Virology at the Frankfurt University Hospital in the NDR podcast “The Coronavirus Update”.
The vaccination rate is faster than predicted, and up to a million vaccinations per day is a good number. “I am optimistic that if we manage to continue vaccinating quickly and in a targeted manner and perhaps half of the adults have already received the first dose in four weeks, the situation will then relax further.”
The speed of vaccination plays “a decisive role”, but is not the only reason. The changed behavior of people also plays a role, as does the beginning of summer. “It’s always an interaction.”
Regarding the planned easing, Ciesek said that a distinction had to be made between who was meeting whom: a group of fully vaccinated people was almost completely protected. “This can lead to a loosening.” It looks different in public, where many have not yet been vaccinated. “You still have to be careful and, as a vaccinated person, still show consideration for those who are not vaccinated.”
Ciesek emphasized how important the second vaccination is. Only two weeks after the second appointment do you have full vaccination protection. She advocated better educating people about “that there is no immediate protection”. The vaccination protection is not only increased with the second dose, but also anchored in the long term. “The immunological memory is only achieved with the second vaccination,” said Ciesek.
Ciesek expects the Biontech / Pfizer vaccine to be approved for 12 to 15 year olds in Europe soon. “Then you could expect that this age group could be vaccinated as early as June,” she said – in theory. In practice, vaccine is still scarce. And since vaccinations are mostly based on age, it will probably take some time for the majority of children.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210505-99-470675 / 3
