Spahn criticizes Corona formulation

The publication of unredacted Corona Protocols of the RKI revives the debate on measures. Former Health Minister Spahn is under criticism for a formulation regarding unvaccinated people.

Former Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn faced criticism for his use of the term "pandemic of the unvaccinated" during the Corona crisis. "I meant that we saw mostly unvaccinated people in hospitals with severe and critical courses back then, which was putting a strain on the healthcare system," Spahn told ZDF.

Background is the publication of unredacted documents about the meetings of the Corona Crisis Task Force at the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). A group consisting of a journalist who is among the critics of the Corona politics of the Federal Government made the files available online and presented them at a press conference on Tuesday. The RKI stated that the data sets had not been checked or verified.

Discussion in the RKI Crisis Staff

According to a document titled "Result Protocol from 5th November 2021," a representative from one RKI department stated: "In the media, there is talk of a pandemic of the unvaccinated. From a professional perspective, that's not correct. The entire population is affected. Should this be taken up in communication?" From the Federal Centre for Health Education, there is no warning. Rules for distance, hygiene, and ventilation will be emphasized again. "This is an appeal to all those who are not vaccinated to get vaccinated." Then, a representative from another department states: "The minister mentions it at every press conference, probably deliberately, and it can't be corrected."

A spokesperson for Spahn told the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" that the former minister referred to the fact that 90 to 95 percent of Covid-19 patients on Intensive Care Units were not vaccinated. "The RKI's professional assessment that the entire population also contributes to this does not contradict that." Spahn wrote on Twitter on 7th September 2021, "We are seeing an increasing pandemic of the unvaccinated in terms of incidence and on Intensive Care Units."

Personal Rights Violated?

Bundesgesundheitsminister Karl Lauterbach from the SPD commented on his predecessor to the "Spiegel": "Spahn probably meant that vaccinated people could also get infected, which was known and not denied by him. However, the majority were unvaccinated people who had to go to Intensive Care Units with severe courses." Many of the measures taken were necessary to protect especially the unvaccinated and the healthcare system.

Green health expert Janosch Dahmen expressed concern that the unredacted publication would violate the personal rights, especially of RKI employees. In addition, at least the security of these people, who have been working exceptionally for this country to deal with this unprecedented health crisis, is being put at risk. "It is now necessary to do everything to ensure that these people, who have been working extraordinarily for this country to deal with this unprecedented health crisis, receive the necessary protection, which has now become essential."

The RKI intends to make its protocols public, according to Lauterbach's statements. The documents show what the Crisis Staff discussed during their meetings: current infection numbers, international situation, vaccinations, tests, studies, or containment measures.

The RKI had already released the protocols for the period from January 2020 to April 2021 with only slight redactions in May. The reason was a previous publication of heavily redacted protocols by the online magazine "Multipolar". The fact that numerous passages were redacted at the time sparked a debate about the independence of the RKI.

The unredacted Corona Protocols from the RKI have reignited discussions about Corona-measures, leading to criticism directed towards former Health Minister Jens Spahn for his statement regarding unvaccinated individuals during the Corona Crisis.
Amidst the controversy surrounding the publication of unredacted documents, Green health expert Janosch Dahmen raises concerns about potential personal rights violations, especially for RKI employees who have worked tirelessly to combat the unprecedented health crisis.
In response to the backlash, RKI spokesperson Karl Lauterbach has stated the intention to publicly release the Corona Protocols, providing insights into the Crisis Staff's discussions related to infection numbers, vaccinations, tests, and containment measures during the Corona Crisis.