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Vaccination against the corona virus will soon also take place in Germany. But are the vaccination doses you ordered enough? CSU chief Söder doubts this and criticizes the federal government’s purchasing strategy. Meanwhile, he has asked for more.
CSU chief Markus Söder has criticized the federal government’s strategy to buy corona vaccines. “We need more speed with the vaccine,” said the Bavarian prime minister of “Bild am Sonntag”. “Everything has to be aimed at obtaining more vaccines, which are then distributed more quickly.” That must be “absolute political priority,” Söder demanded.
Manuela Schwesig, Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, was also concerned about the amount of vaccine available on short notice: “I am concerned that the vaccine will be enough. We have to secure all nursing homes at least in the first round. And that is why it is important that there is now enough vaccine, “he told RTL.
The federal government has ordered more doses of vaccines
The Federal Ministry of Health announced that the federal government had secured more doses of vaccines for Germany.
According to the ministry, 55.8 million doses of the first vaccine from Mainz-based company Biontech and its US partner Pfizer come from an EU-wide order instead of the 40 million doses initially planned. “Bild am Sonntag” reported on it first. In addition, another 30 million doses of the preparation vaccine have already been secured through national commitments.
In addition to this total of 85.8 million doses, 50.5 million doses of the vaccine from the American company Moderna are now insured through the EU contingent. The preparation received emergency approval in the United States on Friday night.
Vaccines for 68.2 million citizens
Health Minister Jens Spahn said on Twitter that everyone who wants to get vaccinated in 2021 should get a vaccine as soon as possible. “We already have enough doses for the two vaccines that are currently being approved.”
According to the ministry, a total of 136.3 million doses are now safe for the two preparations from Mainz-based company Biontech and American manufacturer Moderna, almost all of which could be delivered in 2021. With the two doses needed each, they could 68.2 million citizens are vaccinated, with 83 million inhabitants in Germany.
In order to be able to vaccinate as quickly as possible after the vaccine has been approved, the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) sped up the vaccine lot review process and promised that the lot could be released on approval day. Already before the approval of the batch, the distribution of the vaccine to vaccination centers could begin, said the institute “Bild am Sonntag”.
EMA assessment on Monday
The EU drug agency EMA wants to give its evaluation of the first vaccine from Biontech and its US partner Pfizer on Monday. Then the approval of the EU Commission is awaited.
The federal and state governments will prepare for vaccinations to begin on December 27. Due to initially limited quantities of vaccines, they will be launched in more than 400 regional vaccination centers in the federal states. Mobile vaccination teams must go to nursing homes and clinics.
Debate on prioritizing vaccination
Insured quantities of vaccines are not expected all at once, but only gradually over the course of the next year. By the first quarter of 2021, the federal government initially expects the delivery of 11 to 13 million cans. For this reason, a sequence is established in which especially vulnerable groups can be vaccinated as a priority.
According to a regulation by the Federal Minister of Health Spahn, people over the age of 80, as well as residents and staff of nursing homes, must have a chance first. Healthcare workers with a very high risk of infection, for example in intensive care units and emergency rooms, also have the “highest” priority. There are two more specifications for “high” and “increased” priority groups.
Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz defended the prioritization. “Of course it would be better if everyone could be vaccinated immediately. As that is not possible, an order must be established based on clear scientific criteria,” he told the Funke media group newspapers. It is correct to vaccinate first those who need protection in particular.
