In the fight against the coronavirus, vaccination is crucial. As many people as possible should take part, demand from politics and business. The Robert Koch Institute now names a specific goal.
In view of the dreaded delta variant of the corona virus, the Robert Koch Institute has set a high vaccination target. The federal government, unions and employers increasingly appealed to all citizens on Monday to take corona vaccinations.
According to RKI calculations, at least 85 percent of 12 to 59 year olds and 90 percent of senior citizens aged 60 and over should be fully vaccinated. “If this vaccination quota is reached in time, a pronounced fourth wave in the coming autumn / winter seems unlikely,” said an RKI paper on Monday. Nevertheless, the population must continue to adhere to the basic hygiene measures. It may also be necessary to reduce contacts “to a certain extent” as the number of infections increases, according to the RKI analysis.
RKI is cautiously optimistic
The RKI emphasized: “The results show that under the assumptions made, in particular an increasing dominance of the Delta variant, the vaccination campaign should be continued with high intensity.” The RKI is cautiously optimistic that the vaccination goals can actually be achieved. In a survey of citizens between the middle of May and the beginning of June, a willingness to be vaccinated was determined, which “makes the target vaccination rates identified in the model appear achievable”.
So far, RKI boss Lothar Wieler had spoken of the fact that – based on the previously prevalent alpha variant – at least 80 percent of the population should be immune to vaccination or infection in order to prevent severe courses and deaths to a large extent. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, almost 47 million people or 56.5 percent of the total population have now received at least one first vaccination. 32.4 million citizens or 38.9 percent of all residents are fully vaccinated with the second injection, which is usually necessary.
According to information from the German Press Agency, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) warned from participants in discussions with the CDU leadership that the vaccination quota had to be approached 80 percent. Unvaccinated children in particular would still be vulnerable in the fall. There is also discussion about more offers and incentives to motivate those willing to vaccinate. There should be no fines for carelessly “skipped” appointments.
Spahn: “With the vaccinations, normality will return”
Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said in Berlin: “Vaccination appointments are valuable. It is important that they are used.” Those who cannot keep appointments should cancel them, also out of mindfulness before the employees are deployed in practices and vaccination centers. Seibert emphasized in general: “Take advantage of these offers – you not only protect yourself from a potentially serious illness (…), you also protect all of us.” This also applies to the important second vaccinations. Because of the now low number of new infections, one should not indulge in the illusion of not seeing oneself at risk anymore.
Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) said on Monday in Berlin: “With the vaccinations, normality will return.” Spahn called for as many as possible to be vaccinated. “Because the more you get vaccinated to protect yourself and others, the more normality is possible, especially in autumn and winter.” For those who have been vaccinated, Spahn announced relief: “We will certainly not have to impose the same restrictions, including contact reductions, on those who are also vaccinated as someone who is not vaccinated,” he said. “So you protect yourself and others, and that also makes the exchange across borders easier again.”
Possible fines for carelessly unused appointments that had been discussed over the weekend, the ministry rejected. It is important to motivate citizens and not to deter them. There is also no evidence that it is a larger phenomenon, said a spokeswoman.
FDP leader Lindner calls for vaccination incentives
Employer President Rainer Dulger and DGB boss Reiner Hoffmann jointly promoted vaccinations, which are “the ideal way out of the pandemic”. Wherever possible, employers should offer their employees company vaccinations. “At the same time, we appeal to the employees to accept the vaccination and test offers.” Dulger and Hoffmann expressed concern that what had been achieved would be lost. But they are confident “that with a joint effort we can make the national vaccination campaign a success and achieve a high level of protection”.
FDP boss Christian Lindner spoke out in favor of “positive incentives” for corona vaccinations such as free entry to museums. SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach told “Business Insider”: “There must be mobile vaccination stations on Friday and Saturday evenings in busy places where many people meet, including in front of bars and clubs.” You have to go with the vaccinations where the people are.
Do children need vaccinations in the fight against Delta?
With a view to starting school after the summer holidays, there are also expectations for more vaccinations for children. SPD leader Saskia Esken told the “Rheinische Post” (Monday) that she hoped that the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) would “soon reconsider its restricted vaccination recommendation for young people”. Stiko member Martin Terhardt said in response to a request from the DPA that the data situation is being monitored daily and that it will “certainly react quickly on this issue in particular” if there are significant changes. Previous data did not provide sufficient evidence for the vaccine’s safety in the age group.
With a view to the child vaccination, Spahn said in the presence of his Dutch counterpart Hugo de Jonge that he wanted to learn from the Dutch example whether the corona vaccination recommended there for children aged 12 and over is a decisive factor, especially with regard to the Delta variant in autumn and winter Make a difference.
For the time being, the Stiko has not issued a general vaccination recommendation for children from the age of twelve. She recommends vaccinations only for 12 to 17 year olds with certain pre-existing conditions such as obesity. Regardless of this, vaccinations are possible as an individual decision by parents, their children and the doctors. There is currently no approved vaccine for children under the age of 12.
