Thursday, February 25, 2021
Steinmeier warns urgently
Vaccine reluctance is "quite a luxury problem"
Federal President Steinmeier does not understand the skepticism of some people about certain vaccines. Instead, he urges all citizens to take advantage of the vaccination offer – and as quickly as possible.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has asked German citizens to trust all approved corona vaccines. Steinmeier said he had "little understanding for the reluctance to use one or the other vaccine." This is "quite a luxury problem," he said, referring to those who are still waiting for a vaccination or to people in countries where there is still no prospect of it.
"Vaccinate faster" is the "order of the day," said the Federal President in a digital public discussion on vaccination. All approved vaccines "deserve our trust". The scientific studies showed that all vaccines approved by the European Medicines Agency are effective and well tolerated.
Germany is in a decisive phase after a year of the corona pandemic, said Steinmeier in an interview with four citizens from Bavaria who work in the health and care sector. The long winter hit people hard. At the same time, however, he also brought about a turning point, emphasized Steinmeier with a view to the start of vaccinations.
"Every prick is a small step"
Two months after the start of vaccination in Germany, there is dissatisfaction. "The start of the vaccination campaign was certainly not perfect," admitted the Federal President. But it should not be forgotten: "The vaccinations themselves will bring about a turning point in the fight against the virus." Every single vaccination prevents new infections and protects human lives: "Every prick is a small step out of the pandemic." Steinmeier encourages all citizens: "Take advantage of your vaccination offer when it is your turn. Protect yourself and others!"
After a slow start, the vaccination rate is currently accelerating. However, there is persistent skepticism among some citizens, especially against the corona vaccine from the British-Swedish manufacturer Astrazeneca, but also against vaccinations in general.
A geriatric nurse, a nurse, a hospital doctor and the head of a vaccination center took part in the interview with the Federal President. The medical director of the Fürth vaccination center, Michael Hubmann, reported that people over 80 were very willing to vaccinate. Regarding the reservations about Astrazeneca, he said the launch of the vaccine was "communicatively problematic". Hubmann referred to the good data on the vaccine to prevent severe courses and infections.
The medical director of the Kliniken Nordoberpfalz, Michaela Hutzler, said that it was clearly noticeable that fewer people in need of care had come to the clinics since mid-January as part of the vaccination in the nursing homes. The willingness to vaccinate among employees is extremely high, which is also related to the corona hotspots in the region.
With the regional discussion, the Federal President built on his exchange with citizens who were particularly committed to the pandemic. Last autumn he met people in Dresden, Münster, the Bautzen district and Nuremberg. This was followed by video conversations with citizens from the Bonn region and from Saxony.
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