Berlin virologist Christian Drosten urges more speed in vaccinations in view of the delta variant. "We absolutely have to work on the vaccination rate," Drosten told Deutschlandfunk radio. In the overall population, 61 percent have been fully vaccinated so far, he said. "We can't go into the fall with this vaccination rate, it's absolutely not enough." What is needed, he said, is 85 percent of those under 60, and even 90 percent of those over 60.

Corona tests alone are not an alternative, he said. They were only a stopgap measure as long as there was no vaccine, he said. "Now the population is not accepting the vaccine, which is a big problem." For children under 12, however, for whom there is currently no vaccine, regular Corona testing in schools should be maintained.He also expects contact restrictions to be in place again in October and November, however. The after-effects of the Corona pandemic will also be felt for years to come, the virologist said.

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported 13,715 new positive tests Thursday morning. That's 1089 more than a week ago Thursday, when 12,626 new infections were reported. The seven-day incidence rose to 76.9 from 75.7 the previous day. The figure indicates how many people per 100,000 population contracted coronavirus in the previous seven days. 33 more people died in connection with the virus. This brings the total number of reported deaths within 24 hours to 92,256. In total, more than 3.9 million corona tests have been positive in Germany so far.

Discussion about booster vaccinations

Meanwhile, SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach called for a quick recommendation by the Standing Commission on Vaccination (Stiko) for the booster vaccination against Covid-19. "I think it is essential that we get a clear recommendation for the third vaccination from the Stiko now," Lauterbach told the newspaper Rheinische Post (Thursday edition). In doing so, Lauterbach spoke out in favor of targeted third vaccinations. "If the vaccination is done unnecessarily in low-risk pre-vaccinated and younger people, we not only waste vaccine that would be needed in other countries, but also have no additional effect of the vaccine to expect."

Physician President Klaus Reinhardt criticized the approach of the federal and state health ministers to offer booster vaccinations for seniors and the immunocompromised without a corresponding recommendation from the Standing Commission on Vaccination (Stiko). "In theory, there is something to be said for the fact that a booster vaccination can be useful for people with certain pre-existing conditions, with a weakened immune system and for the very elderly," Reinhardt told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND/Thursday).

Overall, however, there is still a lack of meaningful studies on whether, when and for whom a booster vaccination is indicated. Thus, he said, an expectation has been stirred up by politicians among patients, which many doctors do not want to serve without a scientifically based vaccination recommendation. "I therefore consider it a mistake that the federal and state governments have announced booster vaccinations across the board without waiting for a corresponding recommendation from the Stiko."