Brandenburg is ready: First, two vaccination centers in Cottbus and Potsdam will begin operations. Starting in January, additional vaccination centers are expected to open throughout the state; the first vaccinations at family doctors’ offices should likely be possible starting in early summer. A report for rbb by Ulrike Nagel.
Summary: From Testing to Vaccination—Vaccination Strategy in Brandenburg
The news broadcast from November 23, 2020, focuses on preparations for the start of COVID-19 vaccinations in Germany and the associated vaccination strategy in Brandenburg.
Key points of the report:
- Health Minister’s Optimism: Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) is optimistic that vaccinations can begin by early next year at the latest. He even believes it is possible that this could happen as early as the end of this year (2020).
- Vaccination Centers in Berlin: Six vaccination centers are planned for Berlin. These are to be set up at the exhibition grounds, at the former Tempelhof and Tegel airports, at the Velodrom, at the Erika-Heß Stadium, and at the Arena in Treptow.
- Vaccination strategy in Brandenburg:
The state of Brandenburg is also preparing, although implementation is considered more difficult in such a large state.
- Launch: Initially, two vaccination centers in Cottbus and Potsdam are scheduled to begin operations.
- Expansion: Starting in January, additional vaccination centers are expected to open in Brandenburg.
- Family doctors’ offices: Starting in early summer, vaccinations will also be available at family doctors’ offices.
- Criticism from family doctors: Family doctors in Brandenburg, represented by Karin Harre of the Brandenburg Association of Family Physicians, would like to begin vaccinations much sooner. She argues that, for example, older, immobile people would be unable to travel to Potsdam. Widespread, decentralized vaccination at family doctors’ offices is necessary, she says, because the vast majority of the population, which is spread throughout Brandenburg, cannot be vaccinated centrally at the vaccination centers.
- Logistical challenge: Logistically, decentralized vaccination at family doctors’ offices depends on whether the vaccine can be stored properly there, which is not yet the case.
