In some federal states, certain groups of people can have their corona vaccination refreshed. However, a recommendation from the Standing Vaccination Commission is still missing. Health experts see this critically.
In the discussion about booster vaccinations against the coronavirus, Medical President Klaus Reinhardt criticized the lack of a corresponding recommendation by the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko). Overall, there was still a lack of meaningful studies as to whether, when and for whom a booster vaccination was indicated, Reinhardt told the editorial network Germany (Thursday edition). “I therefore consider it a mistake that the federal and state governments have widely announced booster vaccinations without waiting for a corresponding recommendation from Stiko.”
Theoretically, there is some evidence that “a booster vaccination can be useful for people with certain pre-existing illnesses, with a weakened immune system and for the very elderly,” said the medical president. According to previous knowledge, the third vaccination is not immediately necessary for most vaccinated people.
Health experts have doubts about third vaccination
Previously, the statutory health insurance physicians had already asked Stiko to clarify for whom a third dose is recommended. The SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach continues to urge a quick Stiko recommendation for targeted booster vaccinations. “I fear that many will now be given a third vaccination who will not benefit from it, while those who urgently need it will not get it,” Lauterbach told the “Rheinische Post” (Thursday edition).
The Bonn virologist Hendrik Streeck also reiterated his doubts about the sense of a continuous third vaccination. “There is no reliable evidence that the effect of two vaccinations wears off to such an extent that they in principle no longer guarantee the main goal of protection against a severe course,” he told the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung”. A booster vaccination could only be useful for patients at high risk.
Greens call for “systematic booster vaccination campaign”
The Greens accused the federal government of a lack of strategy for booster vaccinations. “The federal government failed to collect systematic data for Germany early on, for whom and when so-called booster vaccinations are mandatory,” said the Green health expert Janosch Dahmen of the “Rheinische Post”. He called for a “systematic booster vaccination campaign” for all people for whom the effect of the vaccines is presumably too low due to old age or a weakened immune system.
Several federal states have already started offering so-called booster vaccinations to those in need of care, over 80s and people with immunodeficiency. The start of the booster vaccinations goes back to a corresponding decision by the Conference of Health Ministers (GMK) at the beginning of August. The offer is then also valid for people who have received a full vaccination with vector vaccines from Astrazeneca or Johnson & Johnson.
