Corona vaccine: Germany covers itself

Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.

More posts by Christiane Fux All content is checked by medical journalists.

The federal government has reserved around 300 million vaccine doses - that could end up being more than is needed. Where is the international solidarity?

Shortly before the planned start of vaccinations against the coronavirus, the federal government secured additional doses of the promising vaccines for Germany.

Anyone who wants should be able to get vaccinated in 2021

Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) said on Twitter on Saturday that everyone who wants to be vaccinated in 2021 should be offered a vaccination as soon as possible. "We already have sufficient doses for the two vaccines that are currently being approved."

According to the ministry, a total of 136.3 million doses are now safe for the two preparations from the Mainz company BioNTech and the US manufacturer Moderna, almost all of which could be delivered in 2021.

More vaccine than necessary?

For this purpose, Germany with its 83 million inhabitants, in addition to the European contingents, negotiated national commitments with BioNTech / Pfizer. With two necessary doses each, 68.2 million citizens could be vaccinated. This would probably achieve herd immunity.

In addition, there are agreements with other manufacturers, so that Germany now has the option of 300 million cans.

Poor countries are left behind

The Federal Republic is thus following a trend in which the rich countries stock up beyond their needs in order to be prepared for eventualities. As a result, fewer and fewer vaccine doses are left for poorer countries. In the spring, the EU called for international solidarity in the distribution of vaccines.

Delivery takes place gradually

The secured quantities are not expected in one fell swoop, but rather gradually over the course of the coming year. For the first quarter of 2021, the federal government is initially expecting 11 to 13 million cans.

These logistical challenges in delivering the vaccine mean that vaccinating millions will take a few months. Therefore, a sequence is set in order to give priority to groups in need of protection. According to an ordinance from Federal Health Minister Spahn, older people over 80 as well as residents and staff in nursing homes should be given a chance first.

Health workers with a very high risk of infection, for example in intensive care units and emergency rooms, also have “top priority”. There are two further definitions for groups with "high" and "increased" priority (read more about this here).

(cf / dpa)

Tags:  magazine pregnancy birth prevention