German government prepares roll-out of adapted Covid-19 vaccine
- The vaccines, made by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, are adapted to the BA.1 variant
- Germany will receive about 14 million doses, more than half of them in September
The German government is preparing to roll out a version of the Covid-19 vaccine that is adapted to the Omicron strain of the coronavirus, in anticipation of a winter wave of cases.
The latest vaccine is adapted to the BA.1 variant and Germany will receive about 14 million doses of the vaccines made by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna in the weeks beginning September 5 and September 12, subject to EU approval, according to a letter sent by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach to vaccination campaign staff.
Data shows that the latest vaccines are not only adapted to the BA.1 strain but are also significantly more effective against the BA.5 strain than first-generation vaccines, according to the letter seen by DPA.
The letter says 5 million doses of Pfizer/BioNTech’s BA. 1 vaccine are expected in each of the first two weeks of September.
A further 1.65 million Moderna doses are due in early September, with 2.38 million more set to follow on September 12, the letter said.
The vaccines are to be shipped directly to pharmaceutical wholesalers and can then be ordered by healthcare providers as of September 5.
