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Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) asked for patience in the vaccine debate.

"With the shortage of the vaccine, we are going through at least ten tough weeks," he wrote on Twitter, alluding to the deliveries from Biontech / Pfizer, Moderna and Astra Zeneca.

Spahn was also open to a so-called vaccination summit, as demanded by SPD politicians.

On Thursday, on the radio station NDR Info, he proposed a separate meeting with the prime ministers of the federal states, in which representatives of the pharmaceutical manufacturers should also take part.

In terms of content, he says, it must be about how the further action against the pandemic can look.

Several SPD politicians and also the FDP had repeatedly called for such a meeting in view of the vaccine shortage and the slow start-up vaccination campaign, including the heads of government of Rhineland-Palatinate and Brandenburg, Malu Dreyer and Dietmar Woidke (both SPD).

SPD General Secretary Lars Klingbeil told the dpa news agency: "We need a clear plan on how we can get vaccinations faster in Germany." And: "For this it is important that all levels come together now."

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The Federal Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry had spoken out rather negatively to a summit weeks ago.

“The acute issues are not of a political, but of a regulatory and technological nature.

These questions cannot be answered with politicians at a summit, ”said the head of the association, Hans-Georg Feldmeier of the dpa.

In the dispute between the EU Commission and the pharmaceutical company Astrazeneca over its vaccine deliveries, Spahn relies on a negotiated solution.

A long legal dispute over the disclosure of supply contracts does not help in the current situation.

"That is the last thing we need," said Spahn NDR Info.

Instead, it must be about a fair distribution of the vaccine.

He is betting on an amicable result.

"That is definitely the better way."

Another crisis discussion on Wednesday evening did not bring about a breakthrough in the dispute.

EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides praised the constructive tone.

But the matter has not changed for the time being: Large amounts of vaccine, which are urgently expected in Germany and other countries, will probably come weeks or months later.

According to the EU Commission, only a quarter of the expected amount will arrive for the time being.

The EU has a framework agreement for 400 million vaccine doses with Astra Zeneca.

The preparation is expected to be approved in the EU on Friday.