Health - Lauterbach's Advent appeal for more coronavirus vaccinations
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has called for caution and more vaccinations during the Advent season in view of the current wave of coronavirus infections.
The infection is "not a cold", said the SPD politician after a specialist meeting on long Covid restrictions in Berlin. He appealed to people aged 60 and over and other risk groups to get vaccinated now, saying it was "the optimal time" for the vaccine to take full effect before Christmas. It was disappointing that only three million people had taken advantage of recommended vaccinations with new preparations adapted to current virus variants.
Lauterbach made it clear that a wave of infections can be recognized from calculations based on collected data. "We have a high incidence at the moment." It is likely to correspond to around 1700 new infections per 100,000 inhabitants in seven days. For comparison: at the beginning of December 2022, the officially reported figure was just over 200, but this was based on PCR laboratory tests, which are now only rarely carried out. Even then, experts assumed that the number of unreported cases was significantly higher.
The President of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Lars Schaade, also explained that the level now has a different significance than during the pandemic due to the higher level of basic immunity as a result of vaccinations and infections. An increase in levels can now also be seen in wastewater monitoring, but this is not reflected in the intensive care units.
Hospitals not expected to be overloaded
"Nevertheless, every single infection is of course associated with a certain risk," said Schaade. The older you are and if you already have underlying illnesses, the greater the individual risk. And there is the risk of long Covid. Lauterbach said: "Every infection avoided is good news." Even in view of other infections, he does not expect hospitals to be overloaded, but he does expect a heavy burden. "We can really help the hospitals here by keeping the number of infections as low as possible." Incidentally, he also fully understands if masks are made compulsory again in hospitals. Hospitals would have to decide for themselves. "But this will of course protect both employees and patients."
Lauterbach called on people from risk groups to take advantage of the vaccinations and booster shots recommended by the Standing Committee on Vaccination now. "At the moment, the danger posed by Covid is actually being underestimated." He appealed to anyone visiting their family or meeting older relatives over Christmas: "Please protect yourself or your loved ones by getting vaccinated." This protects against a severe course of the disease, reduces the risk of long Covid and - for a limited time - also of infection.
Lauterbach: Do not cancel Christmas parties
According to the latest RKI report on acute respiratory diseases, the number of infections confirmed in the laboratory each week has been increasing for some time. Around 23,250 cases were recorded for the week ending November 26. People with more severe symptoms, such as those in hospital, are presumably still being tested by PCR. According to the RKI, the current relatively high rate of acute respiratory illnesses in the population is also due to colds caused by rhinoviruses, which are typical for the time of year. "So far, there are no indications of an incipient flu epidemic," said Schaade.
In view of coronavirus, Lauterbach advised people to wear a mask or get tested if in doubt, for example when visiting people from risk groups. "Because nothing is worse than a Christmas party where you infect someone who then falls seriously ill and may not make a full recovery." He would not cancel Christmas parties in companies. However, he advises people with risk factors such as asthma or immunodeficiencies to protect themselves with vaccinations and masks or not to attend.
Consultations on long Covid
At the second round table on long-lasting impairments after coronavirus infections, representatives from science and the healthcare sector discussed better support services for those affected. They discussed increased research, easier use of palliative medication that is actually intended for other treatments and rehabilitation services. There are still few contact points and waiting times for those affected are often long.
Long Covid refers to sometimes severe symptoms that persist or reappear after an acute phase of the disease lasting four weeks. The term Post Covid describes the clinical picture more than twelve weeks after an infection. The traffic light coalition had signaled that funding for Long Covid care research would be increased to 150 million euros in the 2024 budget.
Read also:
- Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach expressed concern about the ongoing wave of Coronavirus infections and urged for more vaccinations during the Advent season.
- Lauterbach, a member of the SPD, stated that the current infection is not just a common cold and urged individuals in risk groups, including those aged 60 and over, to get vaccinated with new preparations adapted to current virus variants.
- Regrettably, only three million people have taken advantage of the recommended Coronavirus vaccinations with new preparations, according to Lauterbach.
- The President of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Lars Schaade, explained that the current high incidence of Covid-19 has a different significance than during the pandemic due to the higher level of basic immunity.
- Lauterbach emphasized that every infection avoided is good news and that hospitals are not expected to be overloaded despite a heavy burden.
- The SPD politician also urged people visiting their family or meeting older relatives over Christmas to protect themselves or their loved ones by getting vaccinated.
- Representatives from science and the healthcare sector discussed better support services for those affected by Long Covid during a roundtable consultation.
Source: www.stern.de
