Corona is on the rise again in Germany. In many places, somewhat stricter rules apply – only those who have been vaccinated, genesis or tested are allowed to enter many indoor spaces. Is the third vaccination coming?
Berlin – According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the fourth corona wave has rolled out in Germany. Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) is considering offering all citizens a booster vaccination.
Around 99 million vaccine doses against the virus have now been administered. The federal states want to return almost 2.8 million excess cans to the federal government. From this Monday at the latest, the “3G rule” for access to certain indoor spaces should take effect nationwide: Only those who have been vaccinated, have recovered or have recently tested negative can enter.
The proportion of positive samples under the corona PCR tests in laboratories rose from four to six percent within a week by mid-August, according to the latest RKI weekly report. The seven-day incidences have almost tripled since the beginning of August and averaged almost 50 (48.8) for 100,000 inhabitants on Friday. North Rhine-Westphalia is at the top of the country comparison with 83.4. Some of the German citizens also got infected in holiday regions such as the Balkans, Turkey or Spain.
“This clearly shows the beginning of the fourth wave, which is picking up speed in particular due to infections among the young adult population”, according to the RKI. Patients from this group also come to hospitals. When asked about the fourth wave, a spokeswoman for the federal government said that they agreed with the RKI about the assessment of the situation – but discussions about definitions did not lead to any further.
According to the Federal Ministry of Health, almost 48.7 million people or 58.5 percent of the total population are now fully vaccinated with the second dose, which is usually necessary. Nearly 53.1 million, or 63.8 percent, have at least one first vaccination. 17 percent of 12 to 17 year olds, 61.7 percent between 18 and 59 years and 82.9 percent of all over 60 are now fully vaccinated.
Above all, the Astrazeneca vaccine is left behind. According to a list available to the German Press Agency, the federal states registered 2.6 million doses from their distribution centers for return to the federal government, plus almost 160,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The “Spiegel” reported about it first.
To increase vaccination protection, booster vaccinations are increasingly becoming the focus. The countries are now gradually starting the so-called booster vaccinations in the care facilities and for people who are particularly at risk, Spahn told the editorial network Germany. According to the official information sheet for doctors, booster vaccinations with the preparations from Biontech / Pfizer or Moderna should be offered to residents of care facilities and other facilities with vulnerable groups. In addition, there are people with immunodeficiency or immunosuppression as well as people in need of care in their own home and people over 80 years of age.
The offer should also go to people who have received a complete series of vaccinations with a vector vaccine, i.e. from Astrazeneca or Johnson & Johnson. Spahn said: “In a second step, we can then think about offering everyone else a booster vaccination.” A booster vaccination is covered by the approvals and increases and extends the vaccination protection. Sufficient vaccine is available. The booster vaccination with one dose should be carried out six months after the first series of vaccinations at the earliest. Spahn mainly relies on the doctor’s offices. At the end of September, many vaccination centers went on standby.
When asked by the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide the poorer countries with a vaccine before a third vaccination, Spahn said: “My goal is both: to guarantee booster vaccinations and to donate vaccines to poorer countries.”
According to a decision by the federal and state governments, the “3G rule” for access to certain rooms should apply by August 23 at the latest: only those who have been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative are allowed to enter. This should apply to clinics, nursing homes, indoor catering, indoor events, at the hairdresser’s, in fitness studios, sports halls or swimming pools. In the case of accommodation, evidence should be required upon arrival and – for those who have not been vaccinated and those who have not recovered – a test twice a week. Spahn expects that event organizers, hotels or restaurants will increasingly refuse to let unvaccinated people even with tests. This Wednesday the Bundestag wants to extend the epidemic situation of national scope. dpa
