Berlin The chairman of the German Hospital Society, Gerald Gaß, has called for a “quick and clear decision” about a job-related vaccination requirement. The “public discussion about the pros and cons” is counterproductive, as it strengthens anti-vaccination opponents in their attitude, said Gass in the Handelsblatt. The traffic light parties had announced that they would not make a decision on compulsory vaccinations in certain professions – such as nursing and clinics – until the coming weeks.
Regarding criticism that the measure came at an inopportune time due to possible absenteeism of unvaccinated employees, he said: “The opposite is true.” Many employees have no sympathy for those who come to work unvaccinated. “This leads to frustration among those who have been vaccinated – and most of them are – that we cannot use.”
Overall, the situation in the intensive care units is tense. There is no such thing as a single value by which one can say: Now the entire health system is collapsing. “But we are already seeing the first signs in some regions,” said Gaß with a view to federal states such as Bavaria and Thuringia, in which a particularly large number of corona patients are treated in intensive care by comparison. “With every Corona intensive case, this situation worsens – even in the best and most efficient healthcare system in the world.”
The traffic light plans, which include a 3G rule at workplaces and in public transport, do not go far enough in Gass in view of the situation. In order to send a “clear signal”, a comprehensive 2G rule is needed, including on long-distance trains and on planes. In addition, it is a mistake to rule out further measures. “From contact restrictions for everyone to closings, the entire instrument box in the fourth wave must be conceivable if a changed situation requires it,” said Gass.
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Read the interview in full here:
Mr Gass, the traffic light parties are considering compulsory vaccination. Could the clinics cope with the possible loss of staff?
Of course, there is the risk that we will lose employees. But I am confident that we will be able to convince almost everyone who has not been vaccinated in the clinics – but also in the nursing homes – to have a vaccination. It is important that the vaccination is mandatory in all medical areas. Those who do not get vaccinated in the clinic are not allowed to treat people at risk in outpatient care afterwards.
Wards and nursing homes are sometimes severely understaffed. Critics of the compulsory vaccination say it comes at an inopportune time because of it.
The opposite is true. Many colleagues in the clinics and nursing homes have no sympathy for those who come to work unvaccinated. This leads to frustration among those who have been vaccinated – and most of them are – which we cannot use.
The traffic lights do not agree, however. How confident are you that the measure will come?
I am sure that there will be compulsory vaccinations in medical professions. There is no alternative in the current situation in which hospitals are reaching their limits. It is about convincing those affected of a possible vaccination obligation and creating understanding. The public discussion of the parties about the pros and cons is counterproductive because it encourages anti-vaccination opponents in their position. It would be important to discuss the topic internally and then to make a quick and clear decision.
What would such an obligation mean for employees?
Unvaccinated people can no longer do their job in such a situation. This does not mean that the notice of termination must be given immediately. It would be enough to first send these employees on unpaid leave until a rethink might set in.
Do you also consider compulsory vaccination to be necessary?
Personally, I would have liked not to rule out a general compulsory vaccination. Anyone who has not been vaccinated aggravates the situation in hospitals, as they can potentially become seriously ill. It was a mistake in politics to categorically exclude the obligation so early on. In practice, it is no longer enforceable. I regret that. That is why there is now a need for clear contact restrictions for those who have not been vaccinated.
Do you think the traffic light plans are sufficient for this?
In my opinion, the traffic light plans do not go far enough. 3G in the workplace is a good place to start. However, a nationwide 2G rule is required for events, facilities and restaurants, for example. 2G is also needed on long-distance trains and on planes to send a clear message. The control – in connection with the ticket – is not a practical problem here either. I also consider it a mistake to rule out further measures in principle.
Which do you mean?
In the current situation, nobody can rule out that further measures to restrict contact will be necessary again. Even a new government cannot do that. The development of the pandemic is too unpredictable for that. Politicians are responsible for adapting the measures to the specific situation. From contact restrictions for everyone to closings, the entire instrument box in the fourth wave must be conceivable if a changed location requires this.
In what situation in the intensive care units did you consider such measures to be necessary?
There is not one value where we say: Now the entire health system is collapsing. But we are already seeing the first signs in some regions. In Bavaria, more corona patients will soon be treated in intensive care units than ever before. There, but also in federal states such as Thuringia, patients have to be turned away and transferred to other hospitals. In addition, operations are postponed – with all the risks that arise for cancer patients, for example. With every Corona intensive case, this situation worsens – even in the best and most efficient healthcare system in the world.
However, similar warnings have never been received in the previous waves.
I do not share this assessment. I expect the number of corona patients in intensive care units to rise from the current 3200 to 4000 in ten days. If we do not succeed in significantly reducing the number of infections, the situation will worsen massively in winter. So I can’t give the all-clear. But it is also true: Seriously ill people will also receive care in the fourth wave, I am quite sure of that.
What are your expectations of the Bund-Länder meeting on Thursday?
Above all, the countries must now promote booster vaccinations. In Saxony and Bavaria, where the need is greatest, significantly fewer people are vaccinated a third time on average than in Bremen or Schleswig-Holstein, for example. This is a situation that then becomes a problem for hospitals as well. Especially the elderly, who were vaccinated early, are now increasingly ending up in intensive care units.
What exactly do you expect?
I don’t think the general practitioners can do the booster vaccinations on their own. The federal states must now reactivate the infrastructures that were successful in the second and third waves. This includes mobile vaccination teams, but also the vaccination centers. Without them, the booster vaccinations won’t move forward. I am sure that individual clinics will also lend a hand if they are requested and supported by the federal states.
Help is also planned for the hospitals in the coming year. Is that enough?
This help is urgently needed. If the number of cases in standard care has to be further reduced, the hospitals will have significant financial problems and a huge number of bankruptcies threatened. In the current situation that is not justifiable. Liquidity support is needed for hospitals in order to avoid employees being sent on short-time work or even being laid off or hospitals going bankrupt.
More: Corona crisis team expects a significant increase in Covid 19 patients in intensive care units