Overloaded doctor's offices: Reluctance to act against the fourth wave

Despite the dramatic increase in the number of corona infections, the Hessian state government does not plan to accelerate the booster vaccinations with the help of reopened vaccination centers. A spokesman for the Ministry of Social Affairs in Wiesbaden said this on Monday when asked. Municipalities that open vaccination stations on their own responsibility could, however, count on financial help from the federal and state governments. The ministry did not name specific actions on how the fourth wave can be broken. A “possibly necessary expansion of the measures” is currently also being discussed “against the background of the forthcoming federal political legislation”. Political decision-making cannot be anticipated.

"The planning and implementation of vaccination campaigns at the local level is the responsibility of the health authorities," the Ministry of Social Affairs said.

The offices decided, taking into account the local conditions, which measures and vaccination campaigns would be "considered sensible and implemented".

In addition, the ministry reminded that the cities and counties were ordered by decree on September 24th to provide mobile vaccination offers.

Half of the costs for this would be borne by the federal and state governments.

Many cities have been offering opportunities for vaccination on a larger scale than usual in medical practices since the vaccination centers have closed.

On Monday, a new stationary service began trial operation in Wiesbaden, and it should work regularly from November 22nd.

Lockdown for unvaccinated only "last resort"

Meanwhile, the Hessian Ministry of Social Affairs answered the question of concrete measures to contain the fourth wave cautiously. A general 2-G-Plus rule can only be introduced if the federal government adjusts the protective measures regulation. A lockdown for unvaccinated people requires careful consideration and can only ever be a “last resort”.

A number of medical practices are apparently overloaded at the moment. Many find it difficult to cope with the onslaught of those who want to get a booster vaccination. “It's madness. We are now no longer giving vaccination appointments, we were fully booked until March anyway, because so many would like to be boosted, ”said the employee of a practice in Wiesbaden on Monday, describing the situation. They hope that the announced vaccination trial operation in the German Clinic for Diagnostics (DKD) in the state capital will ease the burden.

A similar picture emerges in a Taunusstein family practice.

“We vaccinate like crazy.

We have four people on duty, ”reported one employee.

There is enough vaccine, and in December there are still some dates free.

But this is also due to the fact that the practice doctors adhere to the recommendation of the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) and only boost people over the age of 70, patients with a damaged immune system and employees who work in health professions.

All other willing to vaccinate refer the Taunussteiner to the vaccination station in the Rheingau-Taunus district in Eltville, which is still open, but its capacities have been severely reduced.

There are people in long queues, many come an hour before the opening.

Patients are becoming more and more aggressive

However, not all doctors adhere to the STIKO recommendation. In the aforementioned Wiesbaden practice, according to the family doctor, patients between the ages of 50 and 60 are also vaccinated. "Where else should I send them, the Wiesbaden vaccination center is closed," says the doctor. In addition, his employees are increasingly being treated aggressively by patients who were not given a quick vaccination appointment when asked. “It was an absolute mistake that the vaccination centers were closed permanently. Even if there was nothing going on there in the summer, they could only have been closed temporarily and only had to be restarted when necessary, ”complains the doctor.

The Association of Hessian Business Associations (VhU) does not agree with the political measures. However, it has other reasons. "In order to help break the fourth wave of pandemics, the economy needs a right to ask questions and to document the vaccination and convalescence status and the possibility of being able to design the implementation freely and tailored to the company." new Infection Protection Act, which is to be introduced to the Bundestag on Thursday. The problems arose because there were still far too few people who were vaccinated and politicians had "not introduced coherent measures in good time and consistently enough". Pollert warns against further burdening the companies. "It must be clearthat the times for carrying out the tests are not working hours. "

The Hessian Ministry of Social Affairs did not express a final opinion on the debate as to whether the current grievances could be resolved with a possible vaccination requirement for certain occupational groups and again referred to a nationwide regulation.

But also in Wiesbaden it is said: “Regardless of this discussion, it will be decisive for the situation in the coming months that as many of the 20 to 30 percent as possible of the still unvaccinated citizens finally give themselves a jolt and get vaccinated.”