Angela Merkel: COVID vaccines could be necessary 'for years'

[Klaralven]

If vaccines do not work on variants of the virus, then "we start all over again," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel. At a meeting with state premiers, she also defended the slower rollout of Europe's vaccine program.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said coronavirus vaccines may be needed for "many years to come."

"It's similar to the flu vaccine, where you re-vaccinate against the new mutation of the virus every time," Merkel said in Berlin after a top-level meeting on Germany's vaccination campaign on Monday.

Merkel added that her government had received the assurances it needed to renew a promise to offer all Germans a coronavirus vaccination by the end of the summer.

The "statement that we will be able to offer every citizen a vaccination by the end of the third quarter" can be maintained, the chancellor said. This promise was possible despite delays to some deliveries, she said, because the government had received reassurances about the vaccine stocks that would arrive per quarter.

https://www.dw.com/en/angela-merkel-covid-vaccines-could-be-necessary-for-years/a-56406591

[Karma13612]

1. As the variants have begun to

‘Multiply” I have thought the same thing.

How is this COVID virus any different than the flu, in terms of spread. (I know it’s deadlier by far!) Each year, there is a new strain of the flu. Each fall we get vaccinated against the strain. Well, sometimes the vaccine works better than other times.

I am not a virologist or microbiologist or doctor, so I know this is my own opinion. But, the COVID virus is similar but more deadly than the flu from what I can tell.

Maybe in a couple years, they will have perfected a vaccine that will combine the standard flu and the COVID virus into one shot.

In the mean time, we believe the scientists, wear masks, socially distance, wash hands, and be patient. Hubby and I are registered in the system and hope the next ‘phone call’ we get is from the local health department telling us we’re next in line. We are 66 and 73 and are well ready!!!

[Turin_C3PO]

2. Hope you guys are able to get your vaccine soon!

I like your idea of combining the flu and covid vaccine if possible. It might not be possible because covid and flu are not related, as far as I know (someone correct me if I’m wrong).

[Karma13612]

4. Yea, I don't know about combining

Rules either. But, they do it for things like Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis. (“DTaP or TDaP or something!!”).

As I said, I am not a microbiologist or anything so we have to be patient and believe.

Thanks for the well wishing! We live adjacent to a county that claims to be very high risk with high COVID rates.

Sigh....

[Hugin]

3. +1

Well said.