Germany: Vaccine against Omicron coming in September
Berlin - "We're getting a vaccine that protects against the omicron variants. We're expecting it in September," Lauterbach told Bild am Sonntag. "We already have a vaccine against delta variants. Our goal is to have as much vaccine as possible for every citizen, no matter which variant comes. Then we have both an Omicron and an Delta variant an antidote. Then we are prepared for everything."
At the same time, Lauterbach warned of a possible "killer variant" this year: "Various omicron subvariants are currently developing, which are cause for concern for me. The intervals at which new variants replace the old ones , are getting shorter. This means that we are less and less able to prepare for the mutations. It is quite possible that we will get a highly contagious omicron variant that is as deadly as Delta. That would be an absolute killer variant." Lauterbach advocated changes to the Infection Protection Act as quickly as possible in order to be able to enforce a mask requirement indoors again in autumn.
"The situation will change again in autumn, then the cases will increase, then there will probably be new mutations or the number of cases with omicron infections will increase sharply. That's why we have to revise the Infection Protection Act again by then. It can then it will again be necessary and legally achievable that we make wearing masks indoors compulsory again." According to Lauterbach, the rejection of compulsory vaccination is also responsible for such a development: "The failure of compulsory vaccination was a bitter disappointment," said the minister. "After a good summer, the large vaccination gaps can give us a hard autumn. Then many scientists expect the next waves." There are allegations that 11 million doses of vaccine will soon have to be destroyed.
Source: Der Newsticker
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