Corona vaccination rate to be increased by autumn

In preparation for the autumn with potential further Corona waves, more people than before are to be persuaded to vaccinate in Berlin.

Health Senator Ulrike Gote (Greens) announced in Berlin on Wednesday that the summer would be used to further increase the vaccination rate. The deployment of mobile vaccination teams in the neighbourhoods will be continued. Gote said she expected that a new vaccination campaign would be needed in autumn for those who had already been vaccinated - and one for people who had not yet been reached. Gote made it clear that the target groups here are difficult to define.

Taking the social dimension of the pandemic into account

The campaigns are also to be based on the recommendations of a social science advisory board which, according to the health administration, has met twice since March. So far, there has been an exchange with experts from natural science disciplines, said Gote, adding that the pandemic also has a social dimension.

Increased use of social media

Among the experts' recommendations is that risks and uncertainty should be communicated transparently by policymakers. People such as influencers, athletes and religious personalities who are trusted by certain milieus should be better involved. Instead of handing out brochures, it is important to make greater use of social media and video platforms.

Almost 80 per cent of Berliners vaccinated at least once so far

The trust factor is crucial. The advisory board advises to also think about people whose mother tongue is not German or who have low reading skills. Mobile vaccination teams should be strengthened. In addition, vaccination incentives are mentioned as an option, especially for younger people, for example with indirect rewards such as vouchers. According to the Senate's situation report, almost 80 percent of people in Berlin have received at least one vaccination against Sars-CoV-2 so far. Around 60 per cent have had a booster.

Low willingness to vaccinate among the unvaccinated

The Cosmo study, which repeatedly surveyed attitudes to vaccination nationwide during the pandemic, mentions a very low level of willingness to vaccinate among "the (dwindling, remaining) unvaccinated" in the latest survey from mid-March. Of all respondents, ten per cent were unvaccinated, of which only four per cent were willing to be vaccinated. Thirteen per cent of them were hesitant or unsure. Eighty-three per cent said they would definitely not get vaccinated. The study identifies safety concerns as the main reason against vaccination.