As of: 07/15/2022 4:56 p.m
Minister of Health Lauterbach recommends the fourth vaccination for everyone – and thus encounters contradiction with STIKO boss Mertens: He does not know any data that justifies it, he says. Criticism also comes from the coalition.
The head of the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) spoke out against broad four vaccinations for younger people and thus turned against the latest recommendation by Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach. He does not know any data that would justify such advice, Thomas Mertens told the “Welt am Sonntag” and added: “I think it’s bad to make medical recommendations under the motto ‘A lot helps a lot’.”
Lauterbach had previously recommended a fourth corona vaccination to people under the age of 60. “If someone wants to enjoy the summer and doesn’t want to take the risk of falling ill, then I would of course recommend vaccination to younger people in consultation with the family doctor,” said the SPD politician to the “Spiegel”. “Then you just have a completely different level of security.” The long-Covid risk is “significantly reduced for a few months”, as is the risk of infection.
Criticism also from the coalition partner FDP
Criticism of the Minister of Health’s recommendation also came from the co-governing FDP. Secretary General Bijan Djir-Sarai tells the “t-online” portal: “In my opinion, Mr. Lauterbach is well advised not to anticipate the STIKO when it comes to vaccination recommendations.”
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians was also critical. “When it comes to the question of vaccination recommendations, we are clearly guided by the Standing Vaccination Commission,” said Vice-Chairman Stephan Hofmeister: “Everyone should stick to it and not push ahead unnecessarily.”
The German Foundation for Patient Protection called it unhelpful that the minister anticipated a STIKO recommendation. In principle, one should seek personal medical advice before further vaccinations, said board member Eugen Brysch. Age is not the only thing that matters. “Rather, previous illnesses, individual risks and the immune status must be taken into account.”
Adapted vaccine expected in September
Lauterbach said vaccination decisions are always a decision between the doctor and those affected. The STIKO “recommends only in general”. He also advised people over 60 again not to wait for vaccines adapted to newer virus variants. According to the ministry, a first preparation is expected at the beginning of September, and a second preparation at the end of September/beginning of October.
EU specialist authorities had recently spoken out in favor of a further refresher from the age of 60. So far, STIKO has only recommended a second booster for those over 70 and some other risk groups.
According to the RKI, almost 6.2 million people or 7.5 percent of the population now have a second booster vaccination with the fourth injection that is usually necessary. For those over 60, the figure is 21.3 percent.
World Medical Director agrees with Lauterbach
The Bavarian Health Minister Klaus Holetschek basically followed Lauterbach’s recommendation regarding the fourth vaccination. However, he considers the communication of the Federal Minister of Health to be “devastating”, said the CSU politician in the rbb.
The chairman of the World Medical Association, Frank Ulrich Montgomery, told the newspapers of the Funke media group: “The Minister of Health is right – we should use every opportunity to improve the immune status of the population.” But one should not forget the basic immunization. “Almost a quarter of our population is still not vaccinated.”
Experts disagree with the proposal for a fourth corona vaccination for under 60s
Julia Cruz, RBB, daily news at 8:00 p.m., July 15, 2022