The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) recommends that pregnant and breastfeeding women be vaccinated against Covid-19. From the second trimester of pregnancy onwards, immunization with an mRNA vaccine makes sense, announced the Robert Koch Institute. She also called on all those of childbearing age who had not yet been vaccinated to get vaccinated so that there was protection against the disease before pregnancy.
Stiko announced that its recommendation was based on a systematic review of the data that has become available in recent weeks on the risk of severe Covid-19 courses in pregnancy and on the effectiveness and safety of vaccinations for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
In the vaccination recommendation that has been valid up to now, the Stiko does not yet advocate a general vaccination during pregnancy. Accidental vaccinations of pregnant women, for example when they did not yet know that they are expecting a baby, are “not an indication for an abortion,” it says.
Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) said: “Even pregnant and breastfeeding women now have a clear recommendation for vaccinations. After many months with many open questions, this means finally scientifically founded certainty.” He made an urgent appeal to pregnant and breastfeeding women: “Ask your doctor. Get vaccinated. You protect yourself and your child.” Doctors have already been able to vaccinate pregnant women, but the Stiko recommendation so far only included pregnant women with previous illnesses and a resulting high risk of severe corona disease or with an increased risk of infection due to their living conditions. (10.09.2021)
Incidence rose again slightly
The seven-day incidence of new corona infections has risen slightly again. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on Friday morning, it was 83.8 – the previous day the value was 83.5, a week ago it was 80.2. The health authorities in Germany reported 12,969 new corona infections to the RKI within one day. This is evident from the numbers that reflect the status of the RKI dashboard at 4:28 a.m. A week ago the value was 14,251 infections. According to the new information, 55 deaths were recorded across Germany within 24 hours. A week ago there were 45 deaths.
The number of corona patients admitted to clinics per 100,000 inhabitants within seven days was given by the RKI on Thursday at 1.89 (previous day 1.79). A nationwide threshold, from when the situation can be viewed critically, is not provided for the incidence of hospitalization, among other things because of large regional differences. The previous high was around 15.5 around Christmas time. (10.09.2021)
So far 31,000 Covid diseases in Germany despite double vaccination
So far, almost 31,000 people in Germany have contracted Covid-19 despite being completely vaccinated. This emerges from the latest management report from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Since February 1, 30,880 so-called vaccination breakthroughs – i.e. symptomatic corona infections at least two weeks after a complete vaccination – have been registered. The RKI nevertheless rates the effectiveness of the vaccination as high: in adults it is between 86 and 87 percent, depending on the age group.
According to the RKI, the inadequate vaccination rates among younger adults are also reflected in Germany’s intensive care units. From mid-August to the beginning of September there were more 18- to 59-year-olds among the patients cared for there than people over 60. This could be interpreted as an effect of the vaccination campaign and the so far insufficiently high rates among 18- to 59-year-olds. The proportion of Covid patients is growing again in the intensive care units. Currently there are almost 1400 people nationwide, an increase of 22 percent compared to the previous week. (09/09/2021)
Denmark is also abolishing the last corona restrictions
From this Friday on, the last corona restrictions will be lifted in Denmark. Proof that you have been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative no longer has to be shown in many areas of public life, for example at certain major events such as matches in the top Danish football league or in the recently reopened discos. Covid-19, the disease caused by the Sars-CoV-2 coronavirus, is no longer classified as a “socially critical disease”.
In the past weeks and months, the mask requirement and other corona restrictions in Denmark have been gradually reduced. At the beginning of the month, the nightlife was also allowed to reopen after a year and a half, but initially with the requirement to be able to show a test, vaccination or recovery on the smartphone via Corona passport. At the same time, this requirement had been lifted for bars, fitness studios and others.
One reason for the final easing is the high vaccination rates, as Health Minister Magnus Heunicke declared at the end of August. To date, more than 83 percent of all people in the country over the age of twelve have been fully vaccinated.
When entering from abroad, however, certain restrictions still apply, depending on the country or region of origin: German travelers who have not been vaccinated or have recovered, for example, have to be tested for Corona after entering the country. Schleswig-Holstein, which borders Denmark, is not affected. (10.09.2021)
Los Angeles introduces mandatory vaccination for students 12 years and older
The California school district of Los Angeles is introducing mandatory vaccination for all students aged twelve and over. The school district announced on Thursday (local time) that anyone who does not have a medical or otherwise justified exemption must be fully vaccinated for classroom lessons from January 10th. “The vaccinations against Covid-19 are safe and effective. Requiring vaccinated students to be vaccinated is the strongest way to protect our school community,” said Managing Director Megan Reilly.
Los Angeles is the second largest school district in the United States. According to its information, the district is responsible for around 640,000 children and young people in all grades, from kindergarten to high school. Corona vaccination is mandatory for employees from mid-October. There are already compulsory vaccinations for teachers and school employees in some districts in the USA. The mandatory extension to schoolchildren, however, has so far been unusual.
The corona vaccine from the manufacturers Biontech and Pfizer has emergency approval in the USA for use from the age of twelve. The vaccination campaign has only made slow progress recently. So far, 53.4 percent of the around 330 million people in the USA have finally been vaccinated against Corona. In the population group aged twelve and over, 62.5 percent are already fully vaccinated. (10.09.2021)
Biden to the unvaccinated: “We are running out of patience.”
US President Joe Biden has increased the pressure on the minority of his still unvaccinated compatriots. “Many of us are frustrated with the nearly 80 million Americans who are still not vaccinated, even though vaccinations are safe, effective, and free,” Biden told the White House on Thursday. Thanks to the vaccinations, you have the means to contain the pandemic, he emphasized. To the address of the unvaccinated, Biden said: “We have been patient, but we are running out of patience.” His request: “Get vaccinated!”
In order to increase the vaccination quota, Biden instructed the Ministry of Labor on Thursday to work out a template according to which employees in companies with more than 100 employees must either be vaccinated or be tested weekly. The regulation should also apply to companies that work for the government. (10.09.2021)
Contact tracking can hardly be guaranteed
The health authorities in Germany can currently no longer track all contact persons of infected people. “With a high number of people who tested positive without a simultaneous lockdown, people often have so many contacts that a basic and extensive follow-up is no longer possible,” said the chairman of the Federal Association of Doctors of the Public Health Service (BVÖGD), Ute Teichert , the Rheinische Post.
When the number of infections in Germany was low this summer, many offices significantly reduced their follow-up teams. In July, the nationwide seven-day incidence was at times only five, but has now risen to more than 80 within a few weeks.
Many health authorities are currently reaching their limits in terms of personnel, said Teichert. It is difficult to attract specialists and especially doctors because they earn significantly less in health departments than in hospitals. (09/09/2021)