What’s next for Corona? Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) and RKI Vice President Lars Schaade commented on the current situation on Friday. Lauterbach presents a seven-point plan to get through the fall. Read the press conference.
The essentials in brief:
Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) has announced a new vaccination campaign to combat the corona pandemic for autumn. “The goal is very clear that we want to start the autumn better than we were able to do last year and the year before that,” said Lauterbach on Friday in Berlin. He expects that the corona vaccines adapted by the manufacturers will be available from September.
You will then be able to offer everyone the best vaccine for them, said the minister. At the same time, Lauterbach made it clear once again that there would be no further attempt to introduce a general obligation to vaccinate. The main thing is to “close the existing vaccination gaps”.
According to Lauterbach, there should also be a new test concept. It must be clarified who should continue to receive the citizen tests, how they are financed and how misuse is prevented.
In view of the current summer corona wave, the Minister of Health sees no reason for alarmism. The Corona wave should be taken seriously, but “there is no need to panic”. A large number of citizens have already been vaccinated, and an illness with the omicron variant is usually more harmless. A large part of the population has also recovered and, above all, those who previously suffered from the BA.2 variant are well protected against the current BA.5 variant.
11:00 a.m.: At this point we end the live ticker of the press conference.
10:58 a.m .: When asked about data collection, Schaade confirms that this is done very conscientiously and that you can use these numbers to read various results that confirm that the pandemic is better dealt with today than at the beginning of the pandemic.
10.54 a.m .: Another question – this time in relation to the 9 euro ticket. Lauterbach asserts that he has no data on the connection between the increasing number of infections and the increased volume of traffic due to the 9-euro ticket. However, this is one of the reasons why the decision was made to retain the mask requirement in public transport.
10.50 a.m .: A question for the RKI: Why should more children be vaccinated now? Schaade replies that the Stiko is responsible for this recommendation. It is a balance between the risk of infection, the risk of becoming seriously ill and the likelihood of suffering from side effects. Accordingly, the Stiko came to the conclusion that vaccination for children makes sense.
10.45 a.m .: When asked whether you should also upgrade for the summer, Lauterbach resolutely answered no. Because there would be enough measures to protect yourself. Vaccinations, masks, distance and so on.
10.42 a.m .: Who should receive which vaccine and how and when will it be announced? Lauterbach assures that for a large number of vaccines it is transparently announced for whom it is recommended. “We have obtained a large number of vaccines and can offer everyone any vaccine.” However, no specific recommendation is made, this would not make sense due to the individuality of each individual.
10.39 a.m .: The vaccination centers are mentioned. Lauterbach assures that vaccination centers are always there when they are needed, similar to professional fire brigades. The centers will continue to be supported and will be dependent on them.
10.34 a.m .: Lauterbach answers a question: Even people with no previous infection and three vaccinations should consider getting vaccinated a fourth time, if this makes sense. For example, if he has many contacts or has risk factors. The fact that nobody is infected also plays a role. These aspects must be considered independently of the Stiko recommendation.
10:32 am: An expanded Stiko recommendation is proposed. Lauterbach confirms that he is very satisfied with the work of the Stiko and has no wishes for the institution. He does not expect a new recommendation, but it is clear that many doctors make individual decisions and have to do so. “Individual risk factors must be considered.”
10.30 a.m .: The next journalist deals with the new vaccines just mentioned. Lauterbach confirms that he is in contact with vaccine experts from all over the world. Work is also to be done on nasal vaccines, which act directly on the nasal mucous membranes. There must be explicitly no mRNA vaccines.
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10:27 a.m .: The first question is aimed at upcoming rules for the fall. Lauterbach assures that “winter tires” are being worked on. New rules and recommendations are to come. “It is clear that we need more than we have now.” That sounds like a new mask requirement for the fall.
10.25 a.m .: The RKI still recommends wearing a mouth and nose cover for larger indoor events. The vaccinations continue to work, so vaccination gaps still have to be closed. Regardless of whether you have already suffered from a corona infection or not, the vaccination still helps to prevent further infections. Now the PK is open for questions.
10:22 a.m .: Now Schaade takes over. “The number of cases has fallen compared to yesterday. However, we have to reckon with the fact that the numbers will increase in the future.” The reason for this is the new sublines, the decreasing protection against infections, since the last vaccination was a long time ago. The increasing contact numbers of the population also play a role. In addition, those who are already infected can become infected again, as new sublines predominate. This is especially true when it comes to autumn.
10.20 a.m .: Lauterbach still sees the future positively, although autumn will not be as it was before the pandemic. “We will succeed in developing vaccines that prevent infection. Then Corona will be an infectious disease like any other.” With the help of the seven-point plan, the autumn and winter should be survived well.
10:18 a.m.: 1. A vaccination campaign for the fall is being prepared and many different vaccines are to be used. “We can offer everyone a vaccination recommendation with the best vaccine in the fall,” said Lauterbach. 2. The citizen tests are to be expanded again and made accessible to everyone. These expire on June 30, but Lauterbach is confident that this phase will be extended and that the citizen test can be used throughout the summer. 3. The supply of medicines is to be expanded. 4. The protection of vulnerable groups should be significantly increased. Above all, hygiene concepts in senior care facilities are to be optimized and expanded. The supply of medicines for infected people is also to be expanded. 5. By September, information will be provided on a daily basis about how many beds are available to care for people suffering from Covid. 6. The students should be relieved. There should not be another school closure that affects children and young people again. Daycare closures should also be avoided at all costs. 7. The last point involves the revision of the Infection Protection Act. There are said to be more tools to keep the pandemic under control.
10.12 a.m .: Lauterbach is now presenting a seven-point plan to get through the fall well.
10.10 a.m .: Lauterbach talks about the fourth vaccination for the risk group of over 60-year-olds. Here the vaccination rate of almost 60% is not sufficient. Lauterbach himself has already been vaccinated a fourth time and followed the Stiko recommendation. This vaccination reduces the risk of severe courses and the long-Covid risk. “If you want to get through the summer well”, you should get vaccinated, recommends the Federal Minister of Health.
10.08 a.m .: Because of the current situation, Lauterbach expressly does not welcome the upcoming summer wave. Because there is still a high mortality rate and “the risk of getting long-Covid is relatively high”, so “we cannot face this summer wave carelessly and without countermeasures”.
10.06 a.m .: “Higher incidences can occur in the summer wave. I have to be careful.” The reason for this is the experience from South Africa. Here the omicron mutants spread quickly even at high temperatures. However, Lauterbach is optimistic about the future, because Germany is well prepared and, above all, the vaccination rate and high infection rate give hope.
10.03 a.m .: Lauterbach has the floor. Two areas should be discussed. The upcoming summer wave should be a topic and also the preparations for the fall.
10 a.m.: Lauterbach and Schaade are already in the hall. It starts.
9:55 a.m .: The press conference is about to start.
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