For the further course of the pandemic, it is important that Germany achieves the highest possible vaccination rate. Currently, looking ahead to the coming fall, it would be an ideal time to once again ignite the “vaccination turbo” and vaccinate as many people as possible. The mathematical models of the Robert Koch Institute show that a possible 4th wave could be prevented if a vaccination rate of about 85% of the population was achieved.
In view of the fact that children under 12 years cannot yet be vaccinated and that the vaccination of teenagers, although approved, is unfortunately fraught with great uncertainty, the vaccination rate for those persons for whom a STIKO recommendation currently exists would have to be well over 90%. Children and adolescents make up approximately 16 million inhabitants in Germany.
Given the current attitude of many people towards vaccinations, coupled with a lack of interest in the current situation, this target will be very difficult to achieve. The expected next wave will primarily affect unvaccinated younger adults and middle-aged adults. They generally do not become seriously ill, but there are severe and fatal courses in this group as well. And a lethality of > 0.1% in the younger age groups means quite a depressing number of people who will not survive an infection with SARS-CoV2 next fall among millions of unvaccinated individuals.
This situation may be okay if you personally have the choice to take this risk or not. However, it becomes problematic for people who would love to minimize their risk of infection through vaccination, but are unsure whether the vaccination will work for them.
People who are currently being treated with immunotherapies – including many people with MS – are currently in this perceived danger. And even though experts (like me) reassure and point out that the immune system is only minimally altered by MS therapies, I can imagine that the fears of inadequate protection and a severe infection are not so easily dismissed. This is also currently reflected in the many inquiries about a third vaccine dose for MS patients.
Societal solidarity is required to defuse the situation and reduce fears, e.g., among those affected by MS. Currently, the best way to show it is through vaccination. Because the more people are vaccinated, the lower the risk that the virus can intensify its spread again in the fall. Therefore, from my point of view, vaccination is not so much a personal matter, but a lived service to the community.
People with MS have the right to demand this societal solidarity and can thus also put a face to the worries. Most people who are currently taking it slow with the vaccination are probably not radical vaccination opponents. They are often disinterested because they do not understand the purpose of the vaccination. But protecting weaker groups is something that can bring many fellow citizens closer to the meaning of a vaccination – and is probably much more motivating than political coercion.
The awareness of doing something meaningful for others through my actions is the best advertisement for the vaccination against SARS-CoV2. Therefore, I believe that people with MS should position themselves even more publicly, in the area of self-help, but also local politics. But personal advocacy in private circles, with friends, relatives, acquaintances could give many undecided people the push they need at the moment.
I think the joint effort to convince as many people as possible in Germany to get their two vaccinations is currently more urgent than considerations about the third vaccine dose.
