So far, around 29 million vaccinations against the corona virus have been administered in Bavaria – almost half of them, 14.3 million, in the vaccination centers and via their mobile teams. That is the balance at the end of the year before the vaccination centers in the Free State close. On January 1st, medical practices, company doctors and some pharmacies will take over the complete corona vaccinations.
Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) drew a positive conclusion during a visit to the facility in Kempten on Thursday: “One thing is clear: the vaccination centers were a great success and an important contribution to the fight against the corona pandemic.” The work of the centers has made it possible to offer vaccinations quickly, across the board and at low thresholds in all regions, depending on availability. At its peak, there were 100 vaccination centers in Bavaria. Most recently, around 80 institutions and branch offices with mobile teams were still active. The President of the Bavarian Red Cross, Angelika Schorer, emphasized in Kempten: “The commitment of the many thousands of volunteers and full-time employees from the Bavarian Red Cross and other aid organizations was fundamental to filling this vaccination campaign with life.”
The cabinet of Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) decided at the end of October to completely transfer the vaccinations to the standard care of the practices from January 2023. Previously, the “parallel structure subsidized with taxpayers’ money” had also been reprimanded from the medical profession. Planning was immediately started in the districts as to what would happen to the rooms of the vaccination centers; often, however, they can now be reactivated for their original purpose, for example for leisure, sport or culture. This also shows how improvisation had to be made when setting up the centers. Many municipal test centers, on the other hand, will remain in place – often with a reduced offer – even in the new year.
First of all, there was a shortage of vaccines and prioritization for vulnerable groups and nursing staff, also the phenomenon of vaccination pushers, rising and falling demand – Holetschek recalled the pandemic years: “Almost exactly two years ago, on Boxing Day 2020, Bavaria received the first 9750 vaccine doses. The had to be enough for a few days and for the whole of Bavaria. In December 2021, the demand was then at its highest with more than 1.7 million vaccinations in just one month. In February 2022 it fell again, but according to the ministry “remained largely stable at a lower level”.
59.2 percent of people in Bavaria are boosted
When the cabinet decision was made, Holetschek spoke of a total cost of a good one billion euros for setting up and operating the vaccination centers, public relations and IT administration; the federal government pays half of this. According to the state government’s response to a state parliament inquiry from Florian von Brunn (SPD), the year 2021 in particular had an impact of 737.7 million euros, in 2022 the centers still cost 351.9 million euros. Dominik Spitzer (FDP), in turn, drew the conclusion from another request that the vaccination infrastructure had been “a complete waste of tax money” since the spring due to low demand and high operating costs.
Holetschek appealed to everyone on Thursday to check their vaccination status with their family doctor and, if necessary, to have a booster vaccination. Vaccination offers the best protection for each individual against a severe course of Covid 19 disease. 59.2 percent of people in Bavaria are boosted, among those over 60 it is 83.1 percent. The second booster vaccination recommended at this age was received by 31.9 percent.