Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has so far paid out almost 45.6 million euros for the operation of corona vaccination centers and bases in the administrative districts and urban districts. The federal government reimbursed around 13.8 million euros of this, the Ministry of Health in Schwerin said at the request of the German Press Agency. “We have not yet been able to provide any information on the final costs.” The federal government was not billed until the third quarter of 2022.
Corona vaccination centers and bases in the north-east have been history since the end of March. The vaccination infrastructure was set up virtually “overnight” in December 2020 with the availability of the first vaccines at district level and in cooperation with the resident doctors. One vaccination center and various external vaccination centers have been opened for each district and independent city. At the same time, mobile vaccination teams would have taken care of vulnerable groups, especially in the area – for example in care facilities.
“In retrospect, we can take stock that the supplementary vaccination infrastructure in the districts and urban districts has proven its worth,” said Minister of Health Stefanie Drese (SPD). This was confirmed by an evaluation by the University of Greifswald and the University Medicine Greifswald. The scientists also expressly recommended maintaining the vaccination structures until spring 2023.
While the vaccine and vaccination dates were initially far from sufficient to meet demand, the situation has now reversed. In the north-east, about three-quarters of the population was last considered fully vaccinated. According to the ministry, more than 3.5 million vaccinations have been administered.
According to Drese, Corona is not over. “Individual health protection has taken the place of public health protection.” The protection of vulnerable groups includes compliance with hygiene concepts in care facilities.
The previous extensive entitlement to corona vaccinations has been invalid since April 8th. The vaccinations should be included in the standard care. According to the ministry, the main focus should be on protecting vulnerable groups. Until recently, the panel doctors and the health insurance companies in MV did not agree on the financing. So far, the federal government had reimbursed the vaccinations with around 30 euros each.
The nationwide corona regulations under the Federal Infection Protection Act also expired on Saturday night – 1113 days after the start of the first corona lockdown on March 22, 2020. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Corona Protection Ordinance had already been repealed on March 1. With a few exceptions, masks and tests are no longer compulsory. “We have fought back our normality bit by bit. My big thanks go to everyone who played a part in it,” said Drese.
