The release of the vaccine Nuvaxovid from the US manufacturer Novavax has not led to the hoped-for revival of the stagnant vaccination campaign. Appointments at the Riem vaccination center were released last Wednesday, and the city’s health department (GSR) registered just 107 vaccinations by Monday. So far, Nuvaxovid has only been approved for employees in the health and care sector. However, because vaccination is progressing slowly throughout Bavaria, Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) released the vaccine for all adults over the age of 18 on Wednesday.
Above all, Nuvaxovid should convince vaccine skeptics who have mistrust of the mRNA vaccines used up to now. The new drug is based on a different technique, in which spike proteins are grown in insect cells and then injected into the patient – this seemed safer to many than the drugs from Biontech and the others, even if billions of them have already been vaccinated worldwide and probably never in In the history of mankind, a treatment has been so extensively documented and tested in such a short time.
But in practice, Nuvaxovid has not advanced vaccination. For comparison: At the beginning of the vaccination campaign last year, several thousand injections were administered daily in the Riem vaccination center alone.
In Bavaria, just under 2,300 people have decided to be vaccinated with Novavax. “Unfortunately, the demand from the previously planned group of people is only low – and prioritization is therefore no longer necessary,” explained Minister Holetschek.
Munich’s health officer Beatrix Zurek welcomed the step: “I see this as an enrichment for the wide range of vaccinations in the state capital Munich. The Novavax vaccine can be an attractive alternative for some who have been skeptical about the proven mRNA vaccines so far to get the important protection. I very much hope that with the release for all those over the age of 18 who want to be vaccinated, those who are undecided will now take heart and get this important protection against a dangerous corona infection with this vaccine.”
Vaccination is currently being offered in the Riem center and in the Marienplatz, Theresienwiese and Pasing Arcaden branches, and medical practices are to be supplied soon.
The seven-day incidence in Munich has risen slightly again: it was 1223.8 on Tuesday after 1124.9 the day before. The vaccination rate in the total population is 72.5 percent for the first vaccination, 70.7 percent for the second vaccination and 45.5 percent for the booster injection.
According to the police, 1,700 people demonstrated against the corona measures on Wednesday evening during a parade organized by the “Munich Stands Up” alliance through Maxvorstadt with start and finish at Königsplatz. It was the first time in a long time that these critics were authorized to move forward. 5000 participants were originally registered for this.