Once again, the German corona policy did not expect the expected.

Since the beginning of the year, she had focused on managing the vaccine shortage.

What would happen if there were no longer enough buyers for the vaccine, so vaccination fatigue took the place of the vaccine envy: Up until now she hadn't wasted too much thought on this, although not only experts but also reasonably gifted lay people had been predicting for months had that this point would be reached at some point.

Now it has happened: last Sunday, as little vaccine was introduced to the people as it was last in February.

Ralph Bollmann

Correspondent for economic policy and deputy head of economics and “Money & More” for the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung in Berlin.

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The debate about this initially focused on vaccinees who did not show up on the agreed date.

The bigger problem, however, has long been those who do not even register for immunization.

Other countries like the United States, which were faster with their vaccination campaign than the Federal Republic, have known the problem for a little longer.

Family doctors are frustrated

That vaccination has lost its magic can be observed very practically these days.

For example, when you go to a doctor's practice in Berlin-Kreuzberg for a second vaccination.

In the spring, at the first appointment, it was still something very special.

People appeared long before the agreed time, patiently lined up in a long queue - with a safe distance - and finally left the practice with a blissful smile: The end of the gloomy permanent lockdown now seemed to be within reach.

This time everything is very different.

A few people who want to be vaccinated lose themselves in the not-too-large waiting room, briefly disappear into the treatment room for a routine prick, only to leave the practice a little later with a rather bored expression.

Nobody here hopes for redemption.

And those are only those who, despite the widespread listlessness, get up to a second vaccination.

If you ask the doctor, he has completely different stories to tell.

From patients who vehemently refuse to be vaccinated.

They put him off, they would think about it again, maybe they would come back to the vaccination offer at some point later.

Who do not appear at all on the agreed date.

He, too, has already had to throw away the vaccine.

And that with a vaccination in which the ratio between high protective effect and ridiculously low side effects is sensationally favorable.

“I don't argue anymore,” he says, frustrated.

"It's no use anyway."

What is scarce appears attractive

Many of the suddenly awakened politicians do not want to afford such defeatism. They are now frantically discussing the various incentive systems that vaccination centers and medical practices are supposed to attract more. There is no talk of direct coercion, but a lot of curls and threats, bonuses for vaccination and privileges for immunized people. The Saarland Prime Minister even wanted to offer a lottery - and with the vaccine, give out a ticket that opens up the chance of a main prize. In other words, it is a matter of weighing up costs and benefits, an economic calculation.