The return of the pandemic? Is it time for another Covid jab?
Service | Düsseldorf · Düsseldorf – More and more people in NRW are falling ill again with Covid. The Pharmacists' Association advises people to wait for the new vaccine before getting a booster.
The coronavirus is not letting up: The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) registered 643 new coronavirus infections in North Rhine-Westphalia last week. This year, there are a total of 289,000 cases. "The numbers are still low. But it could well be that we will experience a new wave of coronavirus," says Thomas Preis, head of the North Rhine Pharmacists' Association. A new variant, Eris, has just emerged.
How do we know how many people are ill?
There are no more test centres and the RKI has reduced its reporting. But the institute is still monitoring the situation. In recent weeks, rising rates of respiratory infections in older adults, an increase in reported covid cases and rising positive rates in laboratory findings "indicated a slight increase in covid activity in Germany", the RKI said. Currently, what is colloquially known as summer flu is rampant in North Rhine-Westphalia. "This is not influenza. It is usually triggered by rather harmless rhinoviruses and you have the classic cold symptoms: Cough, cold and sore throat," says pharmacist Preis.
Can you still get a PCR test?
Yes. Accredited physicians can still swab patients with symptoms of the coronavirus PCR test and send the test to a laboratory, as the Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Nordrhein (KV) emphasises. These data are also included in the RKI monitoring.
Is a new wave of the coronavirus on the horizon?
"At the moment, there are no indications of an emerging wave of Coronavirus in NRW," says the spokesperson of the state Ministry of Health. Experts assume that the virus will now become endemic and thus be part of an annual wave of colds. "So, in addition to a cold or flu, people will also become infected with Covid-19 in the future," says the spokesperson. Regarding the Eris variant, which is officially called EG.5, the RKI refers to the World Health Organisation. According to them, the risk to the population from EG.5 is estimated to be low, comparable to the variants currently circulating. However, EG.5 could lead to an increase in the number of cases in some countries and then become the globally dominant variant. Pharmacist Preis reassures: "Eris usually causes mild symptoms because there is sufficient basic immunity in the population."
Who should get vaccinated?
The Standing Commission on Vaccination (Stiko) recommends that the elderly, the chronically ill, health care workers and nursing staff have their Coronavirus vaccination booster once a year. Specifically, it lists these groups: People who are at increased risk because of an underlying condition; people aged 60 and over; residents in care facilities; medical and nursing staff; and relatives of people with a weaked immune system. "The protection of the booster vaccination is highest in the first months after you get your shot and lasts for about twelve months," says pharmacist Preis. That is why autumn is the right time of year for a Coronavirus vaccination, he adds. "At the same time, you can also get a flu jab." This could be especially important this year, as the flu wave is fierce in Australia.
Which Coronavirus vaccine is best?
According to the Pharmacists Association, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommends vaccinations with the current XXB variant, a sub-variant of Omicron, for the autumn Coronavirus vaccination campaign. This is because the wild type of the virus and the earlier variants alpha, beta, gamma and delta can no longer be detected worldwide. "We expect these new vaccines to be approved in the next few weeks. Three manufacturers will probably be able to offer them and deliver them immediately after approval is granted," explains association head Preis. "Until then, you should wait with the booster vaccination." Besides the two mRNA vaccines from Biontech and Moderna, that would be the protein based XBB.1.5 vaccine from Novavax.
What about people under 60?
People without underlying health conditions between 18 and 59 years of age are advised to get a basic immunity consisting of at least two vaccinations and one additional antigen contact (vaccination or infection), advises the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.
Should children get a booster vaccination?
No. They usually have very mild courses. The Stiko recommends an annual booster only for children (and then from six months of age) who have a "relevant underlying disease", which increases the risk of severe symptoms.
Are infected people allowed to work?
Theoretically, yes. Since 1 February, there is no longer an obligation to isolate people infected with the Coronavirus in North Rhine-Westphalia, the ministry emphasises. "It now depends even more on the personal responsibility of each individual. Anyone who is ill should stay at home."
(Original text: Antje Höning; Translation: Jean Lennox)
