Debate on Astra-Zeneca: Vaccinate pragmatically

Probably the most absurd consequence of the sudden vaccination stop for Astra-Zeneca is the disposal of a life-saving agent that could prevent the illness and death of many people from the coronavirus in the coming weeks. That's what happened Monday at the Cologne Vaccination Center, with more than 100 perishable doses of Astra-Zeneca vaccine already in syringes headed for the trash.

Shortly before, Health Minister Spahn had also announced the immediate suspension of the vaccination campaign with that preparation as a medical precaution, much to the surprise of his colleagues in the federal states.

In view of the extremely tight supply of vaccine, it was initially correct to vaccinate the most vulnerable group of the very elderly in retirement and nursing homes first. At the time, too, Astra-Zeneca, as it later turned out, unjustly got a reputation as a risky vaccine. A label that made Astra-Zeneca a slow seller in the refrigerators of vaccination centers in many places even before the vaccination ban.

In view of the rapidly building third wave, people should not be denied the opportunity to be vaccinated with the vaccine that has been scorned by millions of others, if they are prepared to do so in their own risk assessment. And the mass vaccination of all citizens from 18 to 80 in Saxon and Bavarian Corona hotspots along the Czech border is also a dictate of pragmatic common sense in this situation. At least in the second quarter, the vaccination campaign, which is still described in a friendly way as lame, must be given more speed and momentum. For a relaxed Easter with the lightheartedly promised relaxations, the vaccine rain promised by Spahn from April onwards would probably still come too late.

Image by Wilfried Pohnke