COVID-19 Vaccinations in Hessen

All prioritisation has been lifted.  Meaning that anyone is now free to register for a vaccination.  Also the lifting of prioritisation extends to Hausartz, specialist doctors and company doctors.

Also, as prioritisation has been lifted schoolchildren (12 years and older) are now allowed to register to be vaccinated at their Hausartz or paediatrician.  However, STIKO approval is still pending and thus only schoolchildren aged 16 and older are able to register for vaccinations at designated vaccination centres.

The Federal Government has now notified the federal states that a separate school children campaign will not be possible.  As a result, the previously mentioned school campaign suggested by Hessen Government will no longer be possible

Also, Biontech is currently the only vaccination approved for use for people aged 16 and above.  However, the company has applied for approval for ages 12 and above, this is expected shortly

Prime Minister Volker Bouffier announced on Tuesday 27th of April that everyone in Hessen may now register for a vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine.  The guidance offered on the official Hessen website is that anyone under 60 can register for AstraZeneca, however, they will need to have to have a corresponding consultation with the vaccinating doctor.  In other words, you should check with your Hausartz.

AstraZeneca vaccines have been suspended for those under the age of 60, although as stated above you can opt in to receive the vaccination on consultation with a doctor and at your own risk.  Hessen follows the guidance and recommendations from Germany’s permanent vaccine commission, known by the short name STIKO.  This latest decision comes on the basis “of currently available data on the occurrence of rare, but very serious thrombosis-related side-effects.”   Also, of the few reported cases, young women appear to have been the ones primarily affected.

The Hessen Prime Minister Volker Bouffier, encourages all those over 60 to continue to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine, stating that the benefits far outweigh the risks.  He continued, that when his turn to receive the vaccine arrives, should he be offered AstraZeneca he will accept it.

What happens now?

The approximately 12,500 citizens with appointments scheduled currently will now receive the BioNtech or Moderna vaccine which have no age restrictions.  Of the 208,000 citizens who have to date received the AstraZeneca vaccine over half are under 60 years of age.  The second vaccination appointments will be postponed until May.  Furthermore, at the end of April STIKO should be a position to determine whether in principle the second AstraZeneca vaccination can go ahead.

Previous Advice from the Hessen Ministry

The Hessen Ministry of the Interior has instructed that all vaccination centres will resume administering the AstraZeneca vaccine as of Saturday 20th March.  Thus, vaccination appointments scheduled for the week end have not been cancelled.  However, it is always prudent to double check.

The Paul Ehrlich Institute offered the following:

“After intensive consultations on the serious thrombotic events that have occurred in Germany and Europe, the Paul Ehrlich Institute recommends the temporary suspension of vaccinations with the COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca.”

”The Paul Ehrlich Institute would like to point out that people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca and feel increasingly unwell more than four days after the vaccination – e.g. with severe and persistent headaches or punctiform skin bleeding – seek medical attention immediately Should seek treatment.”

Since this initial statement, the EMA (European Medicines Agency)has determined that there is no increased risk of thromboembolic events (blood clots) as result of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The German health minister, Jens Spahn, announced on Monday 10th May that anyone who wished to receive the one-shot J&J vaccine would be able to do so..

As with AstraZeneca, Germany’s vaccine regulator has only recommended the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for people aged 60 and over.  However, the same process being implemented with AstraZeneca would apply to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.  Patients will need a consultation with a vaccinating doctor and be assessed.  Also, they will be made aware of the extremely low risk of a rare blood-clotting condition.

Finally, the 10m doses of the US vaccine are only scheduled to arrive in the Germany in June.

• • Those aged 80 and over
  • Those who are treated or cared for in inpatient nursing homes, and people who work in these settings
  • Nursing staff in outpatient care services
  • Healthcare workers with a high risk of exposure to COVID-19, especially those working in intensive care, emergency rooms, palliative care and coronavirus vaccination centres
  • Healthcare workers who treat high-risk patients

• • Those aged 70 and over
  • Those at high risk of a severe/fatal disease after infection as a result of underlying health conditions i.e.
    • trisonomy 21
    • dementia or a similar condition,
    • those recovering from a transplant,
    • and those with Down Syndrome
  • Close contacts of people aged over 80 or residents of nursing / care homes
  • Close contacts of pregnant women
  • Doctors and other healthcare workers who have a high or increased risk of exposure to coronavirus
  • Police and law enforcement officers who are exposed to a high risk of infection while on duty
  • Key workers in the public health service
  • People who live or work in refugee or homeless facilities

** Please be aware that if you have a pre-existing condition it is for your doctor (GP/Hausartz) to determine whether you fall into group 2 or group 3.  By emailing your doctor they should be able to tell you and provide a note to proceed.

• • Those aged 60 and over
  • Those at high risk of a severe/fatal disease after infection as a result of underlying health conditions i.e.:
    • diabetes,
    • cancer,
    • chronic kidney or liver conditions,
    • HIV or other immune-deficiency conditions,
    • heart conditions,
    • asthma and clinical obesity
  • Employees in medical facilities with a low risk of exposure (e.g. laboratories)
  • Key workers in government, administration, constitutional bodies, the armed forces, the police, fire brigade and justice system
  • Key workers in critical infrastructure companies, pharmacies and the pharmaceutical industry, power supply, water and waste disposal, the food industry, transport, information technology and telecommunications
  • Teachers and other educators
  • People with precarious working or living conditions

** ** Please be aware that if you have a pre-existing condition it is for your doctor (GP/Hausartz) to determine whether you fall into group 2 or group 3.  By emailing your doctor they should be able to guide you and provide a note to proceed.

• • Once all the above priority groups have been vaccinated all remaining citizens will be vaccinated