Protection against Covid-19: TÜV Association calls for national vaccination strategy

16.10.2020 10:27

The TÜV Association has called for a national vaccination strategy in order to be able to distribute a corona vaccine as quickly, comprehensively and fairly as possible. “Anyone who wants to be vaccinated should be able to receive a vaccination as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Joachim Bühler, Managing Director of the TÜV Association (VdTÜV). “The aim of the vaccination strategy must be to achieve extensive immunization of the population in a short period of time for the benefit of everyone.”

First and foremost, practical questions must now be clarified. How can as many people as quickly as possible be vaccinated given the current distance rules? Are special vaccination centers necessary? Or how do the logistics work if the active ingredient has to be cooled at very low temperatures? The TÜV Association recommends involving company doctors working in Germany in the vaccination strategy at an early stage.

“Around 40 million employees in Germany are reached through company doctors,” said Bühler. “When vaccination is provided by an employer, a large number of people can be vaccinated within a short period of time at a central location in a safe environment. This creates trust and relieves the burden on the health system.” The trip to the family doctor or another vaccination center could be eliminated. In addition, as part of occupational health care, company doctors could identify employees with a high health or infection risk, inform them about the benefits of immunization and carry out the vaccination themselves. A nationwide vaccination campaign should be accompanied by intensive educational work. Bühler: “Rapid vaccination coverage of the population depends on information about how the vaccination works, what side effects it can have and how it is distributed as quickly as possible.”

Health experts expect that the first safe vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 will be approved in Germany over the next year. In addition to the logistical challenge, there is the question of whether certain population groups such as medical staff, seriously ill people or the elderly should be given priority vaccination. This is particularly important if there are not immediately enough vaccine doses available for the entire population. “A vaccination strategy should provide clarity before an active ingredient is approved,” said Bühler. The Federal Ministry of Health and the federal states are responsible for planning and distributing a corona vaccine. They are supported by the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO).

Population divided on the question of compulsory corona vaccination

According to a current Forsa survey commissioned by the TÜV Association among 1,006 people aged 14 and over, citizens in Germany are divided on the question of compulsory vaccination against the coronavirus: 48 percent of those surveyed support compulsory vaccination as soon as a vaccine is available. However, at 49 percent, around the same number are currently rejecting mandatory vaccination. 3 percent are undecided. What is surprising is that younger people in particular are in favor of compulsory vaccination: 58 percent of 14 to 29 year olds are in favor of it. This is followed by the 60-plus age group with 56 percent approval. In the middle age group of 30 to 59, however, only 41 percent are in favor of compulsory vaccination. “The population is divided on the question of compulsory corona vaccination,” said Bühler. Too many questions regarding effectiveness and tolerability are currently still unanswered. This makes it all the more important to inform citizens and make decisions as transparent as possible. The Ministry of Health has so far ruled out compulsory vaccination and is relying on voluntary vaccination.

The TÜV organizations advise employers on all issues relating to health protection and occupational safety. They provide occupational health care, carry out vaccinations and ensure compliance with the Infection Protection Act. A recent focus was the implementation of the SARS-CoV-2 occupational safety standard. The medical services of the TÜV companies, with their more than 250 company doctors and many other health and hygiene experts, look after around 21,000 organizations with around 1.9 million employees. A total of around 12,500 company doctors work in Germany.

Methodology note: The information is based on a representative survey by the opinion research institute Forsa on behalf of the TÜV Association among 1,006 people aged 14 and over in Germany. The question was: “As soon as there is a vaccine against the corona virus, should there also be a compulsory vaccination for it?”