After a long wait, the first corona vaccines that have been adapted to the Omicron variant will soon also be available in Baden-Württemberg. The country sees itself well positioned for the new campaign with the new, advanced corona vaccines. “According to the current status, we do not expect a comparable mass rush to the vaccinations as at the beginning of the vaccination campaign in early 2021, when almost all of Baden-Württemberg wanted to be vaccinated at the same time,” said a spokesman for the ministry on request.
However, the past few years have also shown that the situation can change quickly. “If this is the case, further capacities will be increased,” it said. The aim is that “vaccination is available for everyone”.
On Thursday, the European Medicines Agency EMA cleared the way for two vaccines adapted to the omicron variant for people aged twelve and over: These are boosters that also take into account the BA.1 subline. A Stiko recommendation specifically for this is still pending.
The Federal Ministry of Health expects around 14 million doses of the vaccine in the next two weeks. Baden-Württemberg’s Ministry of Health wants to publish its share on Friday. Doctors are now preparing for rapid vaccinations with the new vaccines, but they are also pushing for a recommendation from the Standing Vaccination Commission. According to the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, practices can request the new vaccine until next Tuesday. The first doses could probably come on Thursday or Friday. Regular delivery is scheduled for September 12th.
Baden-Württemberg had massively reduced its range of vaccinations months ago due to a lack of demand. The government reacted to the falling demand with the streamlined vaccination concept, and the enormous costs were also intended to be reduced. Vaccination and testing cost the country several hundred million euros last year.
The vaccination campaign is currently making little progress. Experts and politicians continue to warn that only a triple vaccination protects against a severe course of Covid 19 disease. But for months now, hardly any people have been immunized. In Baden-Württemberg, 75.7 percent of the people have been vaccinated at least once, and 66.6 percent have had a booster vaccination. Most recently, 14,400 people were vaccinated for the first time in one week, received basic immunization or their vaccination was refreshed.
Vaccination offers without state vaccination structures are also planned for autumn and winter, said the ministry spokesman. They are to be carried out via the so-called control system – these are around 7,000 practices of established doctors in which vaccinations are given, but also dentists and pharmacies. According to the Ministry of Health, around 810,000 vaccinations are possible in the country every week.
