Should people under the age of 70 also get boosters a second time? Opinions are divided on this question at the moment. While the STIKO only makes a recommendation for older and vulnerable people, Health Minister Lauterbach is also promoting younger people to refresh themselves.
In the discussion about the fourth corona vaccination, Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach called for clear recommendations for all age groups. “We shouldn’t just say what the over 70s should do. We also have to have an answer for the 40-year-old,” Lauterbach told the Funke media. The younger ones also wanted to know what to do.
The question is whether a 40-year-old should not be vaccinated under any circumstances or only in exceptional cases, for example if there are many contacts at work. “You need a message for every age. At the latest when the new vaccines are available, there should also be clear messages for those under 60,” demanded the SPD politician.
The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) has so far only recommended a fourth corona vaccination to people over the age of 70 and risk groups. Leading EU authorities had advocated a second booster vaccination for everyone over 60. The Minister of Health, on the other hand, had campaigned for four vaccinations on a broader front, including for people under the age of 60 – after consulting a doctor.
In view of the criticism of these inconsistent statements, the goal was set in July to better coordinate communication on corona vaccinations. Lauterbach and STIKO Chairman Thomas Mertens agreed to set up a pandemic working group within STIKO. This should ensure continuous communication with the ministry as early as the phase of discussion and advice on a new vaccination recommendation.
Lauterbach expects four new vaccines for early autumn. These are two preparations from Biontech and Moderna that are adapted to the BA.1 subtype and two that work specifically against the BA.5 subtype. They would not only protect against severe courses, but also to a large extent against infection, said the Minister of Health. As soon as the new vaccines are on the market, the previous vaccines would be “more or less worthless”.
