German state health ministers are to discuss plans to offer vaccinations against COVID-19 to teenagers, and the question of whether to offer booster shots, in a video session on Monday afternoon.
The federal Health Ministry has proposed a draft resolution to offer young people between the ages of 12 and 17 the vaccines.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19 for people over the age of 12 in May and more recently approved the Moderna shot for the same age group.
However, in spite of the significant political pressure, Germany’s standing vaccination committee (Stiko) only recommended the shots for children and young people.
The vaccines for young people with pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or obesity that could make them more vulnerable to severe bouts of illness.
Health ministers are also due to weigh whether to provide booster vaccines for certain groups starting in September, a move proposed by the Health Ministry.
Studies suggest the level of protection vaccines provide falls rapidly particularly for very elderly people, those with compromised immune systems, and people in need of care.
Under the draft proposal, mobile vaccination teams would provide the booster vaccines at nursing homes and other places.
Those with immune deficiencies or being cared for at home would be offered booster shots by their doctors, according to the draft.
Those eligible would be offered one of the two messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines available, namely either the Pfizer/BioNTech shot or the Moderna jab. (DPA/NAN)
