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Corona vaccine: Ready for autumn

Photo: Jens Kalaene / dpa

According to the North Rhine Pharmacists' Association, the new corona vaccine adapted to the Omicron XBB.1.5 subvariant will be available in practices from 18 September. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) gave the green light for the new vaccine from the manufacturer BioNTech on Wednesday. "Doctors' offices and pharmacies are preparing for an intensive vaccination campaign in the fall," said Thomas Preis, head of the North Rhine Pharmacists' Association, the Düsseldorf-based "Rheinische Post" (Friday edition).

According to Preis, digital vaccination certificates can still be issued in pharmacies, the system has not been switched off. "However, the exhibition is only possible on a self-pay basis," said Preis. "The remuneration for vaccination certificates was most recently six euros."

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) is currently registering an increase in reported cases of infection – albeit at a low level. According to the current weekly report of the German Influenza Working Group (AGI), the activity of acute respiratory diseases is currently still "at a low summer level", but it is rising somewhat earlier than in previous years.

Rising case numbers of Covid-19 have been reported for about seven weeks, but overall the incidence values remain very low. For the week of 21 to 27 August, 4760 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in the laboratory so far. That is more than twice as many as at the beginning of August. However, the experts assume that the number of unreported cases is considerable because many people are no longer testing themselves.

Green politician advises masks in sensitive areas

In view of the imminent wave of infections, the health policy spokesman for the Green parliamentary group, Janosch Dahmen, has again recommended wearing masks in sensitive areas. "In order to protect oneself from acute respiratory diseases, it may also make sense this autumn to wear a protective mask in nursing homes, clinics and other parts of the health care system," Dahmen told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (Friday editions). The number of respiratory diseases and laboratory-confirmed corona cases is increasing in Germany.

"There are increasing indications that the burden on the health care system due to acute respiratory infections could increase significantly again in the coming autumn-winter season," said Dahmen. The health expert also referred to the current development in the southern hemisphere, where the number of infections with flu and corona has risen significantly.

In preparation for autumn, the number of Corona cases would have to be looked at more clearly again, said the Green politician. "It is important to keep a close eye on the local early warning systems – such as the evaluation of wastewater data and reference practices – in order to detect a critical increase at an early stage."

Furthermore, elderly people and high-risk patients should refresh their vaccination protection after consulting their doctors. This applies in particular to the flu vaccination.

ahh/AFP