German health officials have decided to give the elderly and others who have been vaccinated with the new coronavirus vaccine a third additional vaccination starting next month.
In Germany, vaccination began in December last year, and so far, about 43 million people, 52% of the population, have been vaccinated. There are many days when the number of infected people exceeds 2000.
Under these circumstances, the health authorities decided on the 2nd to give a third additional vaccination to elderly people and people in need of long-term care from next month in order to prolong the effect of the vaccine.
For additional vaccinations, a vaccine called "mRNA vaccine" jointly developed by Pfizer and Biontech and a vaccine from Moderna will be used.
Even those who have been vaccinated against AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson will still be given the "mRNA vaccine" for additional vaccinations.
As a precautionary measure, health officials say they will step up measures for people at high risk of becoming ill who move into facilities for the elderly and long-term care facilities.