Wednesday 17th November 2021
State of Berlin wants more clarity
Spahn is supposed to make boosters legally secure
In view of the rising incidence values, Germans are increasingly advised to have a booster vaccination. However, the requirements of the Standing Vaccination Commission make this undertaking more difficult. The state of Berlin demands legal clarity from Spahn.
The State of Berlin is demanding clear legal rules from Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn to enable everyone over the age of 18 to have a booster vaccination against Corona. “A loose letter is NOT a uniform, clear regulation!” Tweeted Health Senator Dilek Kalayci. “The Federal Minister of Health has to anchor UNIFORM in the Vaccination Ordinance, booster vaccination after 5 months.”
In a letter to all contract doctors in Germany, Spahn and the chairman of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Andreas Gassen, spoke out on Tuesday that everyone over the age of 18 should be given a booster vaccination against the coronavirus – even if the last vaccination was not six months ago is. The distance is “to be understood as a guideline in terms of time, which of course cannot be adhered to to the exact day”.
However, there is obviously a lot going on in practice. There are reports from many parts of Germany that vaccination centers or resident doctors refuse to be vaccinated because their last vaccination was not six months ago. Often those affected only lack a few days or a week or two to meet the deadline.
Stiko recommendation only for people over 70, those with previous illnesses and certain professional groups
Vaccination centers or doctors refer to the requirements of the Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko): This has so far recommended a booster at the earliest after six months for people over 70 and those with immunodeficiency, residents of care facilities as well as staff in medical facilities and nursing staff. Politicians and a number of other experts are urging booster vaccinations for everyone over the age of 18 in view of the sharp rise in the number of infections.
Stiko chairman Thomas Mertens announced that the recommendation would soon be expanded. The Stiko will “advise on the next, so to speak the updated recommendation, and that will not take long, and then the recommendation you are now complaining about will also come,” he said on Tuesday evening in response to a corresponding question in the ZDF program “Markus Lanz “. When asked, Mertens made it clear that the recommendation “to 18” could be lowered.