Düsseldorf/Hörstel (dpa/lnw) - When it comes to vaccination, North Rhine-Westphalia's Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU) also wants to set a good example with his fourth prick against the corona virus. On Thursday afternoon, the 65-year-old rolled up his sleeves at his family doctor in Hörstel-Riesenbeck in Münsterland and had the second booster administered, his spokesman said on Friday the German Press Agency in Düsseldorf. According to the recommendations of the Standing Vaccination Committee (Stiko), Laumann received the new, adapted Omikron vaccine.
"I appeal again to all those over 60, to whom I belong, and to people with previous illnesses: keep your vaccination up to date and get vaccinated again if necessary," affirmed Laumann. The Stiko gave clear recommendations. "The vaccination is the best protection against a severe course of the disease and against overburdening the hospitals," emphasized Laumann. "In view of the current development of the infection process, this is also the best way to avoid additional protective measures."
The groups for which Stiko recommends a second booster (fourth dose) include people over the age of 60, at-risk patients and those with a weakened immune system from the age of five, as well as staff and residents in the health and care sector. Despite the increased number of infections, the Ministry of Health currently assesses the corona situation in NRW as “tense but manageable”. Stricter protective measures are not planned for the time being.
