Biontech vaccine: Udo had it injected – and appeals to the Germans

FOCUS Online: Mr. Oelke, you were one of the first Germans to receive the Biontech vaccine in July. Why did you volunteer as a test subject?

Udo Oelke: I was just shocked at how carefree people were in the summer – and how inactive the politicians were. I figured there must be a way to finally stop this virus. I just didn't want to be idle.

That's why I started doing research on the Internet and came across Biontech and its research on the Covid vaccine. I thought that was great. So I wrote an email to Biontech that I would volunteer as a test subject.

A short time later I received an invitation to a health check-up. The doctors there checked me from top to bottom on two days – and found me suitable. On the same evening I got the confirmation for the vaccination appointments.

Vaccine tester: "I didn't feel like a guinea pig"

Weren't you afraid of side effects?

Oelke: No not at all! The prerequisites for being able to test such a drug on people in Germany are incredibly high. I felt safe from the start – and not as a guinea pig. My wife wasn't worried about me either. On the contrary: She would have liked to register as a test subject, but was out of the question because of her bilateral pulmonary embolism.

How did the vaccination go?

Oelke: I received two injections of the same product and dose three weeks apart. The whole thing took place in a research laboratory in Mannheim. On the vaccination days, I was called in at 7 early in the morning and was given an ID card and a kind of schedule in hand at the gate.

It was exactly noted on it at what time I had to be in which room. The doctors first measured my blood pressure and connected me to an EKG. Then I got the vaccine. After two hours I was examined again for possible side effects. It all took a while, I was there until late in the afternoon.

Biontech vaccine: "After the vaccination I was fine – today I run again three times a week"

And how did you feel about the vaccination? How are you today?

Oelke: The vaccination itself was like any other: Arm free, syringe in, that's it. For me personally, the worst part of the whole thing was that blood was always drawn beforehand. I'm a bit sensitive about that.

After the vaccination I felt like always: great. I am a hobby athlete and now I run three hours a week again. Apart from an elderly lady who complained of a headache for a few hours, the other subjects in my group also had no side effects.

What did you have to look out for in the days and weeks after the vaccination?

Oelke: I had committed to documenting my well-being and possible reactions very precisely in a weekly schedule. Every day at the same time I measured a fever, checked whether it was itching somewhere or something else was strange. I then gave the results to the doctors during my check-ups. Now there are only two more blood samples to be taken and in February the project will be completed for me.

Do you get compensation for your work?

Oelke: Yes, 1700 euros minus taxes. But money wasn't the reason I signed up as a test subject.

Fight against pandemic: "You can't get a situation like this under control with palaver. It takes action!"

Rather?

Oelke: Look at how many Covid sufferers are currently in the intensive care units – and are dying. Especially as a former OR nurse, I think that's just terrible. And I am firmly convinced that such a situation cannot be fought with empty words and palaver, as I think many politicians are doing right now. What it takes is action!

I am incredibly grateful and also a little proud to be able to participate in a project that will benefit all of humanity. It's nice to be able to say in retrospect that I was there and helped so that many people can stay healthy.

Appeal from a vaccination tester: "Don't be afraid! Get vaccinated!"

Do you have a message for people who fear or even refuse to be vaccinated?

Oelke: As a matter of principle, I do not speak to recalcitrant vaccine opponents and conspiracy theorists. But to everyone else who might be worried about side effects, I can say: You don't need to be afraid! Get vaccinated! Because if the vaccine gets approval, that's a sure thing. I am living proof of that.