“We have the tools to break the fourth wave.”
(Photo: Reuters)
Berlin The corona numbers currently only know one direction – up. This raises fears that this could overload the hospitals. The current development of the hospitalization values and the death rate “causes me great concern”, said Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) of the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung”. “It should worry all of us.”
In view of the worsening situation, there is now growing pressure to take stronger protective measures again. Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) and Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) called for booster vaccinations at the weekend for all age groups for whom vaccinations are permitted. “We have the instruments to break the fourth wave,” said Spahn to the Handelsblatt. “But we also have to use them consistently.”
A federal-state summit should discuss how booster vaccinations can be offered “as widely” as possible. “The example of Israel shows that boosting helps,” emphasized Spahn. The SPD politician Karl Lauterbach also asked for a federal-state meeting to clarify how many booster vaccinations have taken place so far and how the pace can be increased.
The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) currently recommends booster vaccinations for people aged 70 and over. In addition, residents of old people’s homes and nursing staff are to be offered an additional dose. Spahn had been criticized by family doctor representatives for going beyond the recommendation and calling for a re-vaccination for all age groups.
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CSU boss Söder supported Spahn against it. “We don’t just need the booster vaccinations for people over 70, but for everyone. A third vaccination after six months makes sense for everyone, ”said Söder of“ Bild am Sonntag ”.
Greens are calling for a change of strategy
Criticism of Spahn comes from the Green health politician Janosch Dahmen. The minister’s plan to run the vaccination campaign mainly through doctors’ practices did not work out. “We need a change of strategy,” said Dahmen to the Handelsblatt. “We have to get the vaccine to the people and not the other way around.”
Dahmen suggested reactivating the vaccination staff previously working in the stationary vaccination centers and using them completely for mobile offers. “We need vaccination buses and more mobile teams across Germany,” he said. “It is imperative to accelerate the vaccination rate.”
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported 16,887 new corona infections on Sunday. That’s 3155 positive tests more than a week ago. The seven-day incidence rose to 149.4 from 145.1 the previous day; a week ago it was 106.3. In the past few days, the so-called hospitalization rate, which indicates how many people with corona diseases are admitted to clinics, has also risen continuously.
The intensive care units are also filling up again with corona patients. The RKI figures show that the various regions in Germany have very different levels of pollution. This is also due to the different vaccination rates.
“Of course, third-party vaccinations are now very important for older people,” said the Green politician Dahmen. However, those who have not yet been vaccinated must also be reached. Dahmen considers a federal-state summit, as requested by Spahn, to be premature.
“In a first step, we should work with practitioners to identify specific measures to significantly accelerate the vaccination progress once again,” he said. “In a second step, the federal government and the states should agree on the implementation of the recommended measures.”
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