German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has stated that now is the “optimal time” for individuals to acquire newly adapted coronavirus vaccinations, urging them to do so before the Christmas holidays.
Speaking at a meeting on the long-term health impacts of Covid-19 on Monday, the minister claimed that the virus’s current threat was “underestimated.” He also expressed disappointment with the uptake of newly adapted booster shots thus far.
“The problem of long Covid has not yet been solved,” Lauterbach added, emphasising that the virus was more than just a cold and presented a serious threat to people with chronic health problems.
Germany has seen a spike in coronavirus cases over the last week. According to figures from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), there have been 23,265 infections reported in the country in the past seven days, compared to around 13,000 in the previous six weeks.
The head of the RKI, Lars Schaade, has admitted however that the current level of cases does not carry the same significance as at the height of the pandemic, citing the population’s raised immunity through prior infections and vaccinations.
Meanwhile, Pfizer, one of the main Covid vaccine manufacturers, has been sued in the US state of Texas on allegations that it overstated the effectiveness of its coronavirus shots and attempted to suppress public discussion of the product’s failures.
“Pfizer engaged in false, deceptive, and misleading acts and practises by making unsupported claims regarding the company’s Covid-19 vaccine, in violation of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practises Act,” Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement, claiming the company profited illegally to the tune of billions of dollars.
Pfizer has denied the allegations, claiming the lawsuit has “no merit” and stating that the business is “deeply committed” to its patients and consumers.
