The demand for a corona vaccination has been hesitant since the vaccination season started about a month ago. In principle, there is the impression that patients are interested in a booster vaccination, the general practitioners’ association said in response to a request from the German Press Agency. However, demand is not comparable to previous years and varies greatly from region to region.
“Many patients are simply unsettled,” said Federal Chairwoman Nicola Buhlinger-Göpfarth. The consultation effort is still very high. “It is always difficult to convey that the pandemic is over, but vaccinations continue.”
Recommendation for risk groups
A newly adapted vaccine has been available in practices for around four weeks. The preparation from Biontech/Pfizer was adapted to the Omicron subline XBB.1.5. The aim is to achieve better protection against variants currently circulating, especially against severe corona courses and hospital stays. The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) still recommends a booster vaccination for certain risk groups. These include people aged 60 and over, people with certain previous illnesses from the age of six months, nursing and health workers and relatives of high-risk patients.
According to a report by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) from 2021, around 36.5 million people aged 15 and over in Germany have an increased risk of a severe course of Covid-19. According to the information, a good 21.6 million people are at a significantly increased risk.
Almost 750,000 doses of vaccine have been administered so far
According to the RKI vaccination rate monitoring, around 746,000 vaccination doses have been administered since the beginning of this year’s corona vaccination season (September 18th) (as of October 17th). The vast majority of these were booster vaccinations. “Accordingly, not everyone who is eligible according to the Stiko recommendation has yet decided on a booster vaccination,” said Buhlinger-Göpfarth.
According to the doctor, people who want to be vaccinated can get vaccinated against corona and flu at the same time at one appointment. “This is generally received positively, because patients are not interested in coming to the practice multiple times.” Pharmacies also offer vaccination protection for both diseases.
