As of December 10, 2020, 7:38 p.m.
In Schleswig-Holstein there is a discussion about who will be vaccinated first when the corona vaccine is available. General practitioners hope that there are clear guidelines for this.
by Constantin Gill
Vaccination – this is a highly emotional topic. Dr. Thomas Maurer, Chairman of the General Practitioners Association, has been with us again and again lately. He reports that he is approached more often by patients in the practice – and outside of it: “At the moment, I can hardly go shopping without someone asking me how to get the vaccination,” says Maurer. “This is something that otherwise happens very rarely.”
It is already clear that medical staff and very old risk patients should have priority in vaccination. The draft recommendation of the Standing Vaccination Commission provides for this. But where do you draw the line? Is an age over 80 enough to be preferred? Or does there have to be a specific condition to be at the top of the list? And: who decides about it?
Clear announcement instead of discussions
In any case, this decision shouldn’t lie with the family doctors, says Thomas Maurer. Because that, he fears, would strain the relationship between doctor and patient. “What we need are very clear criteria,” he demands. An example: All patients over 80 with diabetes who are taking at least three prescription drugs – that would be a correct categorization, says Maurer, because: “You can’t discuss them.”
Prof. Dr. Henrik Hermann, President of the Medical Association: “So that it is clear in the vaccination centers who can be vaccinated and the general practitioners’ practices are not overrun beforehand, it is advisable to clearly define in advance which groups of people should be prioritized.” Hermann also believes that general practitioners’ practices should only be the point of contact if patients are unsure in individual cases.
The Ministry of Health emphasizes that family doctors “do not decide on prioritization – but on whether there is a medical indication.”
Some proof will be needed for those willing to vaccinate
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