Gerhard Schröder
Former Chancellor criticizes vaccination skeptic Kimmich
Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has now received his booster vaccination.
© imago images / Metodi Popow
Gerhard Schröder also speaks out in the context of the debate about the vaccination status of Bayern professional Joshia Kimmich. That is what the former chancellor thinks.
The vaccination status of football professional Joshua Kimmich (26) has dominated the German media for days. The fact that the Bayern professional has not yet been vaccinated caused discussions in many places. Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (77) commented now on the portal “LinkedIn” on the matter.
Schröder first explains that he received a booster vaccination against the corona virus from his family doctor on October 26th. He followed the recommendation of the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO), which advised people over the age of 70 to do so.
It is now “important that as many people as possible still get vaccinated or – if they belong to the corresponding group of people – receive a booster vaccination”. Schröder recommends taking advantage of the offers and, if you have any doubts, having your family doctor explain it to you. And that “also applies to football professionals, by the way.” Kimmich announced last weekend that he had not yet been vaccinated against the virus and justified this with a lack of “long-term studies”.
“Responsibility, not only towards his teammates on the pitch”
In his role as a professional and national player, Kimmich has “a responsibility, not just towards his teammates on the pitch”. Schröder is certain, however, “that the management of Bayern Munich and the DFB will advise him to overcome these unfounded concerns.”
One could argue about the meaning of the 2G rule (only convalescent and vaccinated people have access), which also applies in some stages. Schröder himself preferred a 3G rule (vaccinated, recovered or tested) that had to be checked. However, “one thing doesn’t work at all: Exceptions for the professionals on the pitch, while the fans in the stands have to obey the rules.”
According to former Chancellor Schröder, only a vaccination makes a way back to “social normality” possible. “You shouldn’t close your eyes to this reality – neither as a professional footballer nor as a citizen,” he explains. In a new podcast, which will be published later this week, Schröder would like to go into more detail on this and other topics.