The omicron variant of the coronavirus is spreading extremely quickly in some places. What does this mean for the further course of the pandemic in Germany?
Berlin – According to the Berlin virologist Christian Drosten, the corona pandemic could drag on for even longer.
In his opinion, the further course depends heavily on the spread of the Omikron virus variant. In South Africa, the growth rates are high despite the summer that is beginning there. “And that’s why I wouldn’t say at the moment that the pandemic in Germany will be over by Easter if Omikron takes over,” said the scientist from the Berlin Charité in the new podcast “Coronavirus Update” on NDR-Info.
Variant B.1.1.529, which was first detected in southern Africa, has been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “causing concern”. The EU health authority ECDC speaks of serious concerns that the variant could significantly reduce the effectiveness of the vaccines and increase the risk of re-infections. The exact effects of the variant have not yet been determined.
Problem “from January”
“I think we will have a problem with Omikron in Germany from January,” said Drosten. The variant will probably make it necessary to adapt the existing vaccines. So far, he has known about 25 to 30 Omicron cases from his exchange with colleagues in this country. The number is not complete and will increase rapidly. The virus seems to be “extremely spreadable”. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) spoke of four previously confirmed cases last Thursday.
According to the Corona expert, a new generation of adapted vaccines could possibly be used from the second quarter of 2022. Manufacturers had announced work to adapt to Omikron. The variant shows numerous mutations at critical points. It is to be feared that Omikron is “not harmless” for unvaccinated people, said Drosten. One shouldn’t fall into euphoria because of reports of mild developments in South Africa: Most people there have already been infected with Sars-2 corona virus.
Fauci: Too early to evaluate
The US immunologist Anthony Fauci pointed out the possibility of milder courses of infection with the Omicron variant on Tuesday, but warned that it was too early for a final assessment. The relatively mild courses observed could also have something to do with the fact that younger people in particular are affected.
Drosten warned again to close the vaccination gaps. The federal and state governments have set the target that up to 30 million first, second and booster vaccinations will be administered by the end of the year, based on the vaccination status at the federal-state round on November 18. In fact, the vaccination campaign has now got underway; according to the Robert Koch Institute, 14.6 million people in Germany have now received a booster vaccination.
Lack of vaccine?
However, medical associations still complain about a lack of reliability in the delivery of corona vaccines. “At this rate, the goal of 30 million vaccinations by Christmas is not completely unrealistic,” said Andreas Gassen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), the editorial network in Germany. But progress is being slowed down by politics. Contract and company doctors as well as the public health service had ordered a total of around 6.5 million doses of Biontech for this week’s vaccinations. “But only 2.9 million cans are delivered, which is less than half.”
The outgoing Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) reassured on Tuesday evening on ZDF that there was enough vaccine to reach the target of 30 million vaccinations in the next few weeks. He understands that there is frustration and anger in everyday practice. “I can only apologize for that.” Funds from Biontech and Moderna are used to boost the boost, with the federal government recently introducing upper order limits for Biontech until further notice – because stocks are quickly emptied for the vaccine that has so far been used most frequently. In many practices this has already mixed up the scheduling. dpa
