"Vaccinations constitute a large part of the path out of the pandemic," said Chancellor Angela Merkel. After talks between the Federation, the Heads of Government of the Länder and vaccine manufacturers on Monday, there is now greater clarity regarding vaccine supplies, she reported, and the delivery forecasts are more reliable.

The Chancellor repeated her affirmation that, barring any unforeseeable events, everyone should be offered a vaccination by the end of the summer. The commitments of vaccine producers whose COVID-19 vaccines have already been approved are sufficient for this. The situation will improve further if more vaccines are approved for use. Although capacities are still limited in the European Union in the first quarter of 2021, this will change in the second quarter.

Europe depends on the vaccine produced within its own borders, said Angela Merkel. The offers of cooperation on vaccine manufacture are, however, being steadily developed. The Chancellor also explained again how important it is, in terms of peoples’ trust, that the EU’s authorisation of vaccines is not an emergency procedure. She stressed that Germany will continue to vaccinate according to the priorities it has set, based on the recommendations of the Standing Commission on Vaccination. The second vaccination will follow within the period stipulated by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). 

Improving appointments management

The Chancellor explained that the national vaccination strategy of the Federal Government will be supplemented by a vaccination plan. The Federal Government intends the plan to provide a better overview of the expected supply of vaccines to Germany over the coming months. Where no reliable figures can be given, modelling has been used to develop scenarios. This information is the precondition for the appointments management systems of the Länder and municipal authorities. The next meeting of the Federal Chancellor and the Heads of Government of the Länder will discuss progress made on the vaccination plan to be presented by Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn and the Ministers of Health of the Länder.

In addition, Angela Merkel announced that a platform would be established to coordinate the manufacture and distribution of auxiliary materials such as ampoules, stoppers and syringes, as well as substances needed in the manufacture of vaccines. The aim is to use every avenue to produce more vaccines.