Saxony: Saxony reduces vaccination points - centers remain open

Dresden (dpa/sn) - In view of the declining utilization of the current 25 corona vaccination centers, Saxony will further reduce the state offer from June.

Saxony: Saxony reduces vaccination points - centers remain open

Dresden (dpa/sn) - In view of the declining utilization of the current 25 corona vaccination centers, Saxony will further reduce the state offer from June. Only the 13 vaccination centers of the German Red Cross (DRK) remain open, but go into summer operation, as the Ministry of Social Affairs in Dresden announced on Wednesday. This means that there is still one vaccination point per district and independent city as a supplement to the care in medical practices, company doctors and hospitals.

"Vaccination is and will remain important over the summer months," warned Social Affairs Minister Petra Köpping (SPD). Many virologists and epidemiologists warned of a renewed increase in the number of infections in autumn. "The corona vaccination helps against severe disease progression." With the continued operation of the state vaccination centers, there is an additional opportunity to "prepare and protect yourself for the fall". And from October to December, the staff could be doubled.

The DRK also sees this as a structural basis to be able to react to increasing demand for corona vaccinations if necessary - depending on the available vaccine and staff, said a spokesman. The offer will be adapted to the very low demand - the opening of the vaccination centers will be reduced to Tuesdays to Fridays. "All other vaccination centers will be closed, some new locations have been tied."

According to the ministry, there were up to 64 state vaccination centers across the country. From April, the offer was gradually adjusted to the reduced occupancy. In the fall, mobile teams could then be used as a supplement if necessary, and the municipalities could also participate in the vaccination.