In Germany, “If the invitation comes, you can make a reservation after making a vaccination… Transportation costs are borne by the government”

“I hope that the Korean quarantine authorities can easily inform the vaccination targets and information so that they do not suffer confusion, and refer to the Israeli vaccine promotion campaign.

As early as the 26th, vaccination of AstraZeneca’s novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) will begin in Korea. It is good news that will accelerate the end of Corona 19, but there is still a lot of distrust and concern. Germany, which started vaccination two months before Korea, has already received the vaccination of 2.73 million (2.5%) of the 83 million population. AstraZeneca vaccination is scheduled for Pfizer-Bioentech and Modena vaccine soon, and the era of’triple vaccine’ commercializing three types of corona vaccine is ahead.

Of course, the vaccination situation in Germany is not rosy. Initially, there was not a lot of public opinion about whether or not to get a vaccine. Now, a month later, I am deeply worried about the prevalent shortage of supplies in Europe. Dr. Park Eun-jeong (47), an obstetrician and gynecologist who has lived in Germany since 2000 and is working at the Best Paltz Clinicum (hospital) in Kirchheim Boranden, southwest Rhineland-Palatinate, said in a telephone interview with Hankook Ilbo on the 8th. It is important to secure quantity and to deliver accurate information to the public.”

_How is the Corona 19 situation in Germany?

“The number of confirmed cases per day is not small at the level of 10,000, but considering that it was close to 20,000 last month, it is showing a decline. After the first mutant virus was discovered on January 18, mutant infections came out in 16 states. It accounts for 6% of all confirmed cases.”

_Who is getting what kind of vaccine?

“At 400 vaccination centers in 16 states, two types of vaccinations, Pfizer and Moder, are in progress. The number one target is the elderly aged 80 or older, residents and employees of nursing homes, vaccination centers, organ transplant centers, and medical staff dedicated to infectious diseases. The first vaccination was started on December 27 of last year, and 2.5% of the population was hit by the 6th of this month. In particular, the government explained that 80% of those over 80 were vaccinated. AstraZeneca also arrived in Germany last weekend. The vaccination is expected soon, but the government only recommended this vaccine to under the age of 65.”

_How is the specific vaccination procedure?

“The Ministry of Health sends a kind of’invitation’ to those aged 80 or older. You can make an appointment for vaccination online or by phone using the code number written here and visit it on the designated day. After vaccination, you will stay at the center for about 20 or 30 minutes to watch for side effects. The round trip taxi fare used at this time is borne by the government.”

_Is vaccination done smoothly?

“At first, many people questioned whether they should get the vaccine. Either he did not believe the vaccine effectiveness without evidence, or he did not feel the need for vaccination because he was healthy and there were no confirmed cases. The atmosphere of individualism also seems to have played a part. However, there is a strong atmosphere to see vaccinations positively now. This is because awareness about the formation of collective immunity has increased, and people who have been vaccinated are encouraging vaccinations around them, and there are few side effects. To date, there have been no deaths or serious cases in Germany. After the second vaccination, my arm is throbbing or myalgia is all mild.”

_What is the biggest problem that appeared during the vaccination process?

“The quantity is insufficient. For example, in the case of a nearby general hospital, 3,700 employees and medical staff initially applied for vaccination, but at first, only 270 people were able to get hit. It doesn’t mean that it can be right that the medical staff apply for the vaccination. This is because the elderly have priority. Each vaccination center gives priority to those over 80 who are scheduled on the same day, and if there is any remaining vaccine, it is a system that sequentially contacts the medical staff who applied in advance.”

_Is vaccination for the elderly smoothly progressed?

“no. Although the government sent invitations to the vaccination centers because they thought that the vaccine would be supplied smoothly, there are often cases where they could not get the vaccine because the drug did not come. In the case of an acquaintance, the father-in-law is over 80 years old and the vaccination is scheduled, but there is no vaccine, so he calls the vaccination center every day to check the quantity.”

_Please give a suggestion that Korea can refer to.

“It seems important that the government not only secures the amount of vaccination quickly, but also provides information and precautions related to vaccination in an easy to understand and proactive manner. In Germany, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, updates Corona 19 and vaccine information every day. However, you have to look for it one by one, and it is not very noticeable. It’s so detailed that it makes me give up reading. In the end, it takes time to provide necessary information or encourage vaccination. This means that information and facts should be communicated, not propaganda.

_For that, where do you want to pay attention abroad?

“I think it would be good to refer to the case of Israel. According to an Israeli-resident acquaintance, Israel was able to obtain the fastest vaccinations in the world. They say they’re crazy.”

Heo Gyeongju reporter [email protected]

News directly edited by Hankook Ilbo can also be viewed on Naver