The worries of vaccination skeptics like Joshua Kimmich must first be taken away, but the Bayern star is probably more guided by his emotions than by the search for clarification. He stumbles across multiple misunderstandings instead of going ahead as a role model.
So much in advance: Everyone should be able to determine their own body. Personal rights and the right to the integrity of life and limb are high legal interests. That is clear, that must not be touched. In the case of a vaccination against the coronavirus, however, the consideration must not end at this point. Here, vaccination not only protects your own health, but also that of society. So when Bayern professional Joshua Kimmich says he does not want to be vaccinated (yet), his unvaccinated body is not only putting himself in danger, but also other people. And above all, it lacks solidarity.
Unvaccinated people can carry a higher viral load with them and thus infect other people, even those who have been completely vaccinated, more easily than those who have been vaccinated. In the meantime, the vaccine is no longer scarce – at least in privileged Germany. Kimmich still does not want to be vaccinated. “That’s right,” the 26-year-old confirmed to media reports on Saturday evening. In all likelihood he is not the only unvaccinated Bundesliga professional, but the most prominent. After all, Kimmich is considered a future team captain, not only at Bayern, but also in the German national team. Has long been a top performer in both teams. Leader. One who goes ahead. Usually not just athletic.
In the fight against pandemics, often described as a task for society as a whole, Kimmich rejects this role if he does not get vaccinated. “Especially when it comes to long-term studies,” he said after the 4-0 (2-0) win against TSG Hoffenheim, he had “personal concerns”. In doing so, he follows a widespread misunderstanding. Because with vaccines, most side effects occur within a few hours, days or even weeks. But there is simply no such thing as “long-term side effects” that take years to appear. The vaccine itself can no longer be detected in the body after a few hours, and in most cases the immune reaction does not last longer than a few days. The rare cases of narcolepsy associated with swine flu vaccination, which are often cited by anti-vaccination campaigners, also occurred short-term and were only recorded in long-term studies because there were so few cases.
Fact check: vaccination works
Vaccine skeptics are not opponents of vaccination, that should also be recorded. According to his statements, Kimmich belongs to the first group, he does not say categorically that he “will not be vaccinated at all”. It is “also very possible that I will be vaccinated in the future,” emphasized the Bayern professional. In principle, skepticism is a good thing. This means that the midfielder may want to update his view of the world with additional, evidence-based information and is hopefully not just looking for information that confirms his own point of view.
However, there are many like Kimmich who wait and want to “find out more”. There has been convincing, because empirically proven and scientifically verified information about the effectiveness and safety of corona vaccines for a long time. And vaccination skeptics like Kimmich should not ignore the fact that, in contrast to the alternative, to not vaccinating, it is the better choice. “You can ask in the clinics what the course is like if you are not vaccinated,” said his trainer Julian Nagelsmann from the quarantine he had to go to after being infected. With a mild course, after double vaccination.
Since more than six billion vaccine doses were successfully administered without these side effects, the skepticism of Kimmich and Co. is slowly giving way to verifiable facts. Or rather there has to be a personal, honest research and no “wait and see”. Because: vaccination works. Historically, almost no medical achievement has saved more lives than and contributed as much to preventive health care as vaccination. The most serious diseases were thus eradicated.
And Kimmich should know that. He mostly comes across as a young man reflecting on things. Who is serious about helping with initiatives like “We kick Corona”. As a professional soccer player, he also benefits enormously from medicine, its products, tablets, injections and vaccinations. For example, the Tropical Institute recommends eight different vaccinations just for a trip to Qatar, where FC Bayern has been holding its winter training camp for years and where the World Cup will take place in just over a year.
Conversation with Lauterbach?
When asked about the corona vaccination, Kimmich is probably not guided by rationality or a risk-benefit analysis in his thinking. Because all the facts prove that it is simply unreasonable to refuse a corona vaccination. But clarification and facts are of course more abstract than stories about individual fates with vaccination complications or personal fears. Kimmich is more likely to be guided by his emotions than actually by the search for further information. That’s human. And of course, people’s worries and fears have to be taken seriously. They must not be judged prematurely.
It is possible that the midfielder does not know of any infected people who struggled with bad courses or died. Society mustn’t put too much pressure on. You should get vaccinated out of conviction. Maybe Kimmich should sit down honestly with doctors, there has even been a consultation hour like this for the professionals at FC Bayern. As a privileged footballer, he can also get in touch with independent, renowned doctors and experts and be convinced of the evidence-based information in a conversation.
SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach has already said that a Kimmich vaccination could have a “symbolic effect” – and would certainly be ready for a conversation. Then Kimmich will perhaps become even more aware of his privileges of being allowed to play football every weekend, while cultural workers, hairdressers and hotel employees, for example, had to fear for their livelihood and children could not go to school than he himself was long ago back on the field was standing.
This vaccination is about everyone
Kimmich also said that one should “respect non-vaccination, especially as long as one adheres to the measures.” Another misunderstanding. Of course, everyone looks at themselves first when they are vaccinated. This is also the case with Joshua Kimmich. But this vaccination is also about other people, and it has been scientifically proven that the immune system of older people is generally less responsive to vaccinations. In the case of Covid-19, this group is known to be particularly at risk and could best be protected if everyone who can be vaccinated can be vaccinated.
Therefore, one can ask the question here: What about the solidarity of the Bayern professional and the other vaccine skeptics? Above all, solidarity with medical staff. The Robert Koch Institute stated in July that the situation in the emergency rooms and intensive care units would only remain stable again with a vaccination quota of 85 to 90 percent of all entitled persons. A vaccination against Kimmich and other vaccine skeptics and opponents would also be economically valuable. Cultural institutions, shops and hotels are still suffering from the pandemic.
With his decision, Kimmich is damaging the community. In view of this, his sentences on the homepage of his “We kick Corona” initiative do not seem credible. “Each and every one of us can ensure that the coronavirus does not spread any further,” it says there, “but only together can we do our part to improve society.” When the German Football Ambassador eV gave him his honorary award last year, the unvaccinated midfielder said: “Because health is paramount, solidarity is now necessary, both on a small and large scale. Everyone can help.” Oh well.
Ideally, all future generations would benefit from the vaccination – such as with smallpox. Namely, when the corona pandemic really comes to an end. And someone like Kimmich, possibly the next DFB captain, could set an example and live up to his privileged roles in society.
Kimmich’s concerns and fears are entirely human. But it is time to take responsibility and show solidarity. To review his concerns, so look honestly in the case of the Bayern professional: How well do my concerns stand up to review? Many in Germany have already understood this, some will follow. Hopefully soon Joshua Kimmich too. Maybe then even with a symbolic effect.