So far in the corona pandemic, the presence of the pathogen has fallen sharply in the summer months.
In this, the third year of the pandemic, things are different.
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) called it “in a way sad” on Friday that there was a so-called summer wave of infections.
The minister said in Berlin that it was also regrettable that the coming autumn would not be the same as before the crisis.
It is true that Corona will eventually be a disease like many others - above all thanks to newly expected vaccines, which should also protect against infection more than the previous vaccines and not only against serious illnesses.
"But we're not there yet," said Lauterbach.
The minister therefore wants to develop a concept by autumn so that Germany can get through the cold season as well as possible.
"It's not that the summer wave is a protection for the fall or a vaccination that you get for free," said Lauterbach.
The excess mortality due to Corona is still high.
"We cannot be satisfied with that." And that is why one cannot face the autumn "carelessly and without countermeasures".
"We won't go back to normal, but we won't be as limited as we were either."
The citizens of Lauterbach initially asked for help in two places.
"Anyone who wants to protect themselves and others should voluntarily wear a mask indoors." He asked him to do so.
It must be normal for people to put on a mask indoors.
However, the current data does not indicate an obligation to do so, said the minister.
"The danger of Omicron is underestimated"
On the other hand, citizens should be “generous” when talking to their doctors about the fourth vaccination.
Lauterbach advocated going beyond the recommendations of the Standing Vaccination Commission, which only considers the second booster to be useful for those over 70, those in need of care and patients with an immune deficiency.
“My recommendation is that you consider the fourth shot for yourself.
It's a decision between the doctor and the patient," said Lauterbach.
The strategy for the fall consists of seven elements.
On the one hand, Lauterbach wants to “prepare a vaccination campaign”, which should also include those vaccines adapted to the Omicron variant that could be available from September.
The manufacturers Biontech and Moderna are working on appropriate vaccines.
In autumn, citizens could then be offered three remedies together with the previous vaccines.
"We will not make any new attempts to introduce a general obligation to vaccinate," Lauterbach said.
In addition, the doctor wants to ensure that the existing Covid drugs - above all the Paxlovid manufactured by Pfizer in Freiburg - are used more frequently.
Since Lauterbach sees "significant deficits", the main reason for which is that doctors do not prescribe the funds often enough.
"The danger of Omicron is underestimated, many doctors believe that the funds do not need to be used."
said Lauterbach.
The effectiveness is particularly high when the active ingredients are administered early.