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The approval of the corona vaccine is imminent.
The old people's homes are one of the first places where it will be used.
How exactly should the vaccination of more than 800,000 nursing home residents in Germany be carried out?
Herbert Mauel is the managing director of the Federal Association of Private Providers of Social Services (bpa).
He speaks of a "logistical mega-project".
WORLD:
It starts on December 27th, Germany vaccinates.
“A wonderful Christmas present”, praise health politicians.
How do you see it, Mr. Mauel?
Herbert Mauel:
We're talking more of a logistical mega-project.
All of Germany apparently assumes that we will get a quick vaccination in the homes.
"A lot of people live in the home who cannot give the necessary consent themselves"
Source: Juergen Henkelmann
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WORLD:
Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) has declared that the infrastructure will be in place by mid-December.
The old and the sick are first.
Mauel:
The problem lies in the detail.
The forms are suitable for the vaccination centers where most people are expected to be vaccinated.
The special situation of nursing homes is not found there.
A lot of people live in the home who cannot give the necessary consent themselves.
Anyone who is only a little familiar with facilities for old people will see this immediately.
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WORLD:
The Robert Koch Institute makes such gross blunders?
Mauel:
There are three legally relevant things in this form: This is the declaration of consent from the person being vaccinated, plus the anamnesis, i.e. the medical history, and thirdly, an explanation of the conversation with the vaccinator.
WORLD:
Less paper - what is the problem?
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Mauel:
This form is made for people who are determined to vaccinate.
You go into an exhibition hall and get it over with.
However, two thirds of the home residents have dementia.
Vaccination is excluded without the consent of the legal guardian or a relative.
When taking anamnesis, caregivers or relatives are not the first point of contact.
Only the doctor, who must also provide and certify the detailed consultation, may fill in and sign.
This form was drawn up by someone who is not familiar with homes.
WORLD:
What do you want?
Mauel:
There must be detailed information about the planned process.
Above all, however, the consent of the supervisor must be able to be given separately from the anamnesis sheet and also from the medical documentation.
According to this form, the supervisors or relatives authorized to sign must be within shouting distance when the vaccination team appears.
That should be difficult between the years.
It must be avoided that the vaccine is available, but then cannot be used for formal reasons.
We would like the supervisors to actually be ready.
WORLD:
Some of the vaccination teams have already been recruited, 30 in Berlin and 15 in Munich. Are the homes prepared for the vaccination campaign?
Mauel:
Everyone apparently expects that to happen, and yes, they will also be prepared.
But how many carers will we reach between the years?
How many people will we be unable to vaccinate for lack of consent?
All of this is very unsatisfactory.
WORLD:
At the same time, the medical staff should be vaccinated.
Here surveys have shown that only 50 to 70 percent want that.
Is it the same for home staff?
Mauel:
I wonder where these numbers come from.
In any case, I don't know of such surveys from homes.
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WORLD:
After two strong allergic reactions in vaccination candidates in Great Britain, the British authorities are now advising caution with allergy sufferers.
Have you been informed of such details?
Mauel:
We have well-trained medical staff in the homes who keep a close eye on the health of the residents.
These employees are present at the vaccination.
They know if there is a known allergy.
Knowledgeable information is not our problem, our employees can provide it.
But they cannot give formal consent to vaccination.
And the doctor will not disregard it.
We have our hands full at the moment, with tests, with quarantine, with staff absences.
It is not clear to me how we should get the form signature from all supervisors.
WORLD:
Originally, the staff should be vaccinated first.
Is that still true?
Mauel:
We assume that employees and residents will be vaccinated on the same day.
Anything else would be madness.
The vaccinators must not assume that every resident can come to the vaccination room.
You also have to go to the resident's room.
If, on top of that, a living area is under quarantine, you cannot transport anyone across the house.
After vaccination, the patient must be observed for half an hour.
I do not hope that there will be any with a camp bed.
You can get a person in need of care in there, but not out.
One to two days are currently planned for vaccination per home.
We will have to mobilize all forces.
WORLD:
The vaccine must be cooled to minus 70 degrees until immediately before use.
Then it is thawed and administered.
How is this managed in the homes?
Mauel:
We were informed that storage in the refrigerator is sufficient during the actual vaccination period.
WORLD:
How many homes are now affected by Corona?
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Mauel:
These statistics are kept by the state health authorities.
In North Rhine-Westphalia there is talk of 30 percent.
That shouldn't surprise anyone.
After all, we count 500 to 600 visitors a month in a dormitory with 100 places.
It is clear that this entails considerable risks.
And then we discuss whether five or ten people can sit at the table on Christmas Eve.
WORLD:
Are you going to send some home residents to vaccination centers?
Mauel:
Not at all.
It would cost an infinite number of stretcher transports and an infinite number of accompanying persons.
It quickly became clear that we needed mobile vaccination teams.
They vaccinate everyone they are allowed to vaccinate on site.
Silent lonely night - Christmas in the old people's homes
Relatives are only allowed to visit their family members in old people's homes and care facilities to a very limited extent.
This is particularly difficult for everyone at Christmas time.
Source: WORLD / Max Hermes