Berlin – The rising incidences, despite the fact that many people are already vaccinated, are cause for concern. The calls for booster vaccinations for everyone, a booster summit and the reopening of the vaccination centers are getting louder – and Bayern star and vaccination skeptic Joshua Kimmich should be converted.
The fact that the corona crisis is worsening has been clear for days with a view to the increasing number of infections. Experts and politicians are warning of a gloomy winter that could come Germany.
On Friday, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) advised due to the acute high risk of infection to limit contacts, to stay at home if you had mild flu symptoms and to get tested more often – people who have been vaccinated should also stick to it. In the meantime, the incidence rose to 149.4 nationwide, and there were 16,887 new infections. In Berlin, the seven-day incidence on Sunday fell slightly to 139.2. The previous day the value was 141.6, a week ago it was 123.7.
The state of Thuringia is currently worst affected – there the incidence rose to almost 300. There, stricter corona regulations have been in effect since Saturday. The 2G or 3G plus rules are to be implemented at all kinds of events and in the catering industry. The so-called warning level could also be declared in Baden-Württemberg next week. Bavaria is not doing better. Intensive care units are already feared nationwide.
In view of the rising corona numbers, the debate about booster vaccinations is gathering pace. Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) called for a federal-state summit on the subject, because the vaccination rate in the doctor’s offices is not enough. Spahn told Bild am Sonntag that current data from Israel showed “that boosting makes a crucial difference in breaking the fourth wave”.
Demand: Booster vaccinations should be possible for everyone
The so-called booster vaccinations to refresh after a complete vaccination are, in the opinion of medical representatives, above all necessary for older people from 60 years of age, nursing staff or medical staff, but not for everyone. That must change, said CSU Prime Minister Markus Söder at the weekend. A third vaccination after six months makes sense for everyone, he said.
In order to promote the booster vaccinations, SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach pleaded for the vaccination centers to be reopened. The vaccinations are progressing far too slowly to break the soaring fourth wave of the pandemic, he wrote on Twitter. As another possibility, Lauterbach called “consistently use 2G” – that is, only admitting vaccinated or convalescent people to events or indoor restaurants. “That greatly reduces the number of cases,” emphasized the SPD health politician.
Only two vaccination centers are still open in Berlin
The vaccination centers were closed in many places a few weeks ago. In Berlin there are currently two of the recently six corona vaccination centers – one is on the site of the former Tegel Airport, another on the exhibition grounds. There they are vaccinated with Biontech / Pfizer and Moderna. There are also so-called vaccination stations in the Linden Center in Lichtenberg and in the Alexa on Alexanderplatz, as well as the Senate Administration’s vaccination bus with changing locations. Moderna is administered there. You can currently be vaccinated against Covid-19 at all of these places without an appointment.
However, those who do not want to be vaccinated are still worried. Since the vaccination campaign started on December 27, 2020, a total of around 57.7 million people have been vaccinated against Covid-19 at least once. This corresponds to a population share of 69.3 percent (as of October 29).
Bundestag President Bas wants to meet Bayern star Kimmich
But many still refuse to receive immune protection – according to a recent poll, this is 65 percent of those who have not been vaccinated. Achieving this and changing your mind is difficult. Politicians know that too. Rather, it relies on those who are still hesitant and insecure.
The most prominent vaccine opponent is currently Bayern star Joshua Kimmich, who has not yet immunized himself. The new President of the Bundestag, Bärbel Bas, offered the football player a conversation about corona and vaccines in order to persuade them. Kimmich had initiated a debate about long-term vaccination consequences, for which she was grateful, said the SPD health politician to the editorial network Germany. You have to educate a lot more.
A case in Brandenburg is also causing a stir: in a senior citizens’ home in Schorfheide on the Werbellinsee, eight residents have just died after a corona infection. According to a medical officer, only half of the nurses in the home have been vaccinated.