The EU has been recommending the fourth corona vaccination for those over 60 for some time. Minister of Health Lauterbach is now also bringing the second booster into the conversation for younger people. Stiko boss Mertens sees it differently.
Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) also recommends that people under the age of 60 be vaccinated against Corona a fourth time after consulting their doctor. If you want to enjoy the summer without the risk of illness, then he would “of course recommend vaccination to younger people in consultation with the family doctor,” said the SPD politician to the “Spiegel”.
With the second booster vaccination you have “a completely different security”. It significantly reduces the risk of infection for several months. The risk of contracting Long Covid is also significantly lower, the minister said. The head of the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko), Thomas Mertens, replied in the “Welt am Sonntag” (“WamS”) that he did not know any data that justified such advice.
Karl Lauterbach: “Absolutely not” wait for the Omicron vaccine
At the beginning of the week, leading EU authorities had spoken out in favor of a further refresher for everyone over 60 in view of the new corona wave in Europe. So far, the Stiko – the body responsible for Germany – only recommends a second booster for people over the age of 70 and some other groups, including people with suppressed immune systems, nursing home residents and medical facility staff. Many doctors follow the Stiko recommendation.
“I think it’s bad to make medical recommendations under the motto ‘A lot helps a lot’,” criticized Stiko boss Mertens in the “WamS”. He still thinks the recommendation of his commission, according to which people over 70, those with previous illnesses and nursing staff should administer the fourth dose, is correct.
The vaccination decision is always a decision between the family doctor and those affected, said Lauterbach. The Stiko “recommends only in general”. The minister also advised people over 60 “under no circumstances” to wait for a vaccine adapted to the omicron variant. The available vaccines reliably protected against contracting Covid or dying as a result of a corona infection.
Source: Stern
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
