German health minister: Teenagers could be offered vaccine by summer

Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn has said that it is possible that all 12 to 18-year-olds in Germany will be offered a vaccine against coronavirus by the end of the summer holidays - but first the jab still needs to be approved for younger people. 

All 12 to 18-year-olds in Germany to be vaccinated by autumn

Coronavirus case numbers may be dipping in Germany, but vaccinating children and teenagers is still considered a crucial step in finally achieving herd immunity and thus ending the pandemic. 

German authorities are therefore already making preparations for the distribution and administration of vaccines to young people. All they need now is the final go-ahead from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which has not yet approved any coronavirus vaccine for use on young people. 

On Monday, the United States authorised the BioNTech / Pfizer vaccine for younger teens aged between 12 and 15, signalling that Europe might also soon give its approval. “The European Medicines Agency said yes,” Spahn told Deutschlandfunk. “At the end of May, at the beginning of June - if nothing unforeseen happens - the approval can be granted.” 

The German federal states have already agreed that, as soon as they get the green light, the implementation will begin, either via schools or by invitation through the vaccine centres. According to Spahn, every 12 to 18-year old in the country can expect to receive an invitation and at least one vaccine - preferably both - by the end of the school summer holidays. Then school operations can resume as normal from the autumn. 

9,4 percent of population is fully vaccinated

As of Monday, 32,8 percent of the German population have received at least one coronavirus vaccination, a total of 27.286.227 people. 9,4 percent are now fully vaccinated. The vaccination rate is continuing to increase, and the country’s coronavirus incidence rate is finally starting to decrease. 

“If we keep it up together, it will be a good summer,” Spahn said, adding that Germany is expecting to receive significantly more vaccine doses in June.