To promote booster vaccinations against the corona virus, the acting Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) urges a federal-state meeting. “Current data from Israel show that boosting makes a crucial difference in breaking the fourth wave,” said Spahn der Picture on sunday. “Currently, the booster pace in Germany’s practices is not enough. We need a booster summit from the federal and state governments.”
The number of people vaccinated is only increasing slowly. A booster vaccination – the so-called booster vaccination – against the effect of the vaccine, which diminishes over time, is noticed by far fewer people than could. In particular, risk groups are recommended to refresh their vaccination protection. Politicians are desperately looking for concepts to encourage more people to do so. The health ministers’ conference will meet in Lindau from next Thursday.
Spahn had repeatedly advertised booster vaccinations in the past few days. In his opinion, the federal states should invite people over the age of 60, for whom this is recommended, in writing. The ministry also emphasized on Saturday that in principle all citizens are entitled to the “booster” vaccination. It referred to the vaccination ordinance.
The number of corona infections in Germany has recently risen sharply. As a result, concerns about renewed emergencies in hospitals are being voiced more and more loudly. The outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) warned against carelessness in dealing with the pandemic. (10/31/2021)
RKI reports 16,887 new infections
The Robert Koch Institute reports 16,887 new positive tests. That is 3,155 more than on Sunday a week ago. The seven-day incidence increases to 149.4 from 145.1 the previous day. The value indicates how many people per 100,000 inhabitants have contracted the coronavirus in the past seven days. 33 other people died related to the virus. This increases the number of reported deaths within 24 hours to 95,729. In total, more than 4.59 million corona tests have been positive in Germany since the beginning of the pandemic. (10/31/2021)
Germany wants to donate another 75 million vaccine doses in 2022
According to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, after the planned 100 million vaccine doses in 2021, Germany wants to donate a further 75 million vaccine doses to poorer countries in the coming year. Merkel said that on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Rome. However, according to Reuters information, the Ministry of Health itself warned that it was not certain whether Germany could achieve the 100 million dose target this year. The reasons are complicated legal questions with the manufacturing companies and logistical questions in the recipient countries.
In the FAZ, Merkel called on the Germans to be more determined in the fight against the virus. “I am very concerned,” she said, about the current trend in hospitalization scores and death rates. “It should worry all of us.” At the moment there is “a certain recklessness”. It makes them very sad that two to three million Germans over the age of 60 are still not vaccinated. (10/30/2021)
Lauterbach for reopening the vaccination centers
In the fight against the corona pandemic, the SPD health politician Karl Lauterbach wishes to re-establish the vaccination centers, which are often closed. The vaccinations are progressing far too slowly to break the soaring fourth wave of the pandemic, he wrote on Twitter on Saturday. “We need quick vaccinations for the elderly. The ideal would be to reopen the vaccination centers.”
The number of people vaccinated is only increasing slowly. A booster vaccination against the effects that diminish over time is noticed by far fewer people than could. This is especially recommended for risk groups. Politicians are desperately looking for concepts to encourage more people to do so.
The regional vaccination centers were set up last winter when vaccinations started. The background to this was the need for strong cooling of the initially scarce vaccines and strict priority for vulnerable population groups. At times there were more than 400 vaccination centers. The federal and state governments had agreed to reduce or close them by September 30th at the latest. Most countries switched to mobile vaccination teams. In addition, doctors’ practices also vaccinate, but there are fewer again. (10/30/2021)
Criticism of Spahn’s statement on possible booster vaccination for everyone
Medical representatives are criticizing the statement by the Executive Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) about a Corona booster vaccination for everyone. Spahn had named the risk groups for which such a booster vaccination is particularly recommended, and then pointed out that it was basically possible for everyone.
“We are annoyed that Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn is fueling expectations that booster vaccinations are possible for everyone,” said the board member of the General Practitioners Association, Armin Beck, the editorial network Germany (RND). “The general practitioners follow the recommendation of the Standing Vaccination Commission, which currently recommends third vaccinations only for people over 70 and a few other groups.” Due to Spahn’s statements, however, the need for clarification and discussion in the practices is increasing. If the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) expanded its recommendation, the general practitioners would also vaccinate these groups of people, he announced.
However, some medical practices have already withdrawn from vaccinations and no longer offer them. Medical President Klaus Reinhardt told the RND: “So far there is no sufficient scientific evidence for the need for booster vaccinations for people of all ages.” (10/30/2021)
RKI: 21,543 new infections, incidence at 145.1
The nationwide corona incidence also increased on Saturday. The Robert Koch Institute registered a value of 145.1 after 139.1 the day before. The health authorities in Germany reported 21,543 new corona cases. That is 6398 positive tests more than on Saturday a week ago. 90 other people died related to the virus. (10/30/2021)
Biontech vaccination for children receives emergency approval in the USA
The corona vaccine from Biontech / Pfizer has received emergency approval in the USA for use in children between the ages of five and eleven. Following the approval of the US Food and Drug Administration, the CDC must now formally deal with it.
This means that the vaccination campaign for the approximately 28 million affected children in the USA can now – as the White House already planned – start in November. Within the next few days, 15 million doses of the vaccine are to be delivered to paediatricians, clinics and pharmacies. The German company Biontech and its US partner Pfizer have also applied for approval of their corona vaccine for children of this age group in Europe. (29.10.2021)
Austria’s health minister announces the 2.5 G rule in the workplace
According to Health Minister Mückstein, the 3-G rule at the workplace, which will apply in Austria from November 1st, should be converted to a “2.5-G” in mid-November – that is, vaccinated, recovered or PCR-tested. This is reported by the Austrian broadcasting company ORF. The step-by-step plan of the Austrian government stipulates that antigen tests are no longer valid as evidence of tests if there are 400 or more intensive care beds occupied. Unvaccinated people then have to show a current PCR laboratory test.
Mückstein assumes that the value of 400 occupied intensive care beds will be reached by the end of next week. On Friday, 280 Covid 19 patients were in intensive care units across Austria – 15 more than the day before. In addition, a new annual high had been reported with more than 5800 new infections.
Some federal states are also tightening their corona rules for unvaccinated people due to the increasing number of infections. After the federal states of Styria and Tyrol, Upper Austria and Carinthia will soon no longer allow unvaccinated people in restaurants and bars under certain conditions, even if they have a negative test. The measures will come into force in Upper Austria on November 8th and in Carinthia on November 4th. The rules apply to night gastronomy and events without assigned seats from 500 people. Only those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered will have access.
2-G rule on Cologne carnival stages
The 2-G rule applies on stage at the Cologne Carnival. All artists have to be vaccinated or recovered, said a spokesman for the Cologne Carnival Festival Committee. At least 3G plus applies to spectators at hall events, which means that you either have to be vaccinated, recovered or tested with a PCR test. However, individual organizers could always go beyond this and specify 2G. For the artists, who usually appear at different events in one evening, it is therefore practically impossible not to be vaccinated or recovered, said the spokesman for the festival committee. In the Düsseldorf Carnival, 2G generally applies to hall events. (October 29, 2021)