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Bethel Hospital in Berlin. Many doctors have seen how serious COVID-19 is sometimes. It could be assumed that those who work there en masse will want to be vaccinated, but the picture is different. Nurse Vivien Kochman is an example of this. As the mother of a young child, she has been meticulously following all hygiene and contact measures for months, but plans to wait for the vaccine.
Only about 50% of caregivers will be vaccinated
“Certainly I will not be the first in line for vaccination. In this sense, I am too cautious and somewhat fearful, because I think the vaccine is still too new to be considered completely safe. I am often quite concerned. These are my personal feelings. “Said the nurse. However, Vivien Cochman is not opposed in any way to vaccines. She herself is immune to many diseases. Therefore, she hopes that by the end of the year there will be more clarity on vaccines and more information on possible risks.
Experts note that this skepticism is not uncommon among medical personnel. A survey conducted by the German Society of Internists in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (DGIIN) in December 2020 shows that only about 50% of caregivers plan to get vaccinated. At the same time, a large majority of those surveyed say that the vaccine is very important in controlling the pandemic.
According to Bernd Moirer, president of the Association of Social Service Institutions, said: “In some of our homes, 100% of the employees are vaccinated, but there are others where two-thirds of the staff refuse to be vaccinated.” Similar observations were shared some time ago by Health Minister Span, who said that in some nursing homes there are already 80% vaccinated among the staff, and in others only 20%.
That’s why they don’t want to get vaccinated
German government health expert Karl Lauterbach, who is an epidemiologist, suggests that many doctors and other medical personnel rely on the protection of their protective clothing and probably do not believe that they are in the highest risk age group.
However, the December survey showed that doctors’ reservations were due more to uncertainties about the long-term effects and possible side effects of vaccines. Some women in clinics, for example, are concerned that the vaccine could adversely affect subsequent pregnancies. Bernd Moirer raises another argument: Even if caregivers are vaccinated, they will be required to wear protective masks, so vaccination doesn’t provide much relief. And it is not yet clear whether vaccinated people can infect others.
Another argument is made by a caretaker in the state of Brandenburg, who requested anonymity. He has already been vaccinated with the first dose of BioNTech / Pfizer and said: “This vaccine protects against coronavirus infection, but its main effect is that it thwarts COVID-19. I suppose there are people who prefer to wait for other vaccinations. “In his environment, all his colleagues were already vaccinated, added the caregiver.” We have seen many times in recent months how much damage the virus can do. “However, he believes that many doctors and medical personnel have already had the infection and have developed antibodies, so at least for now they do not need vaccination.
Author: Jens Turau
Germany
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