Merkel: "Nationwide Vaccination Available from June... Vaccinated Individuals Exempt from Quarantine Measures"

Increasing Vaccine Supply and Considering Withdrawal of Phased Vaccination
"Vaccinated Individuals Will Enjoy Freedom Without Lockdown Measures"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced that from June, the priority for COVID-19 vaccinations will be lifted, enabling nationwide vaccination for all citizens. She stated that those vaccinated will be exempt from quarantine measures and will be able to live freely as before the COVID-19 crisis. On the same day, with the United States announcing it will provide its AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine stockpile to other countries, the supply shortage issue is expected to be resolved soon, leading to projections that European countries' normalization plans will get on track starting this summer.

According to foreign media including the AP News on the 26th (local time), Chancellor Angela Merkel said at a press conference held immediately after a video conference with the federal government and the 16 state premiers, "From June, the priority for COVID-19 vaccinations may be lifted," adding, "Not everyone will be able to get vaccinated immediately, but at least there will be an opportunity to make reservations." She further explained, "Most states have already vaccinated priority groups 1 and 2, and group 3 is expected to receive the first dose within May."

Previously, Germany divided vaccination priority into three groups. Group 1, who receive vaccinations first, includes elderly people aged 80 and above, residents of nursing homes or care facilities, and medical staff exposed to high-risk environments such as emergency rooms or intensive care units. Group 2 consists of elderly people aged 75 to 80, residents and medical staff of dementia care facilities, and Group 3 includes elderly people aged 70 to 75, people with underlying health conditions, pregnant women, and those who have frequent contact with them.

The abolition of phased vaccinations comes amid expectations that the vaccine supply issue, which had been plagued by shortages, will be resolved. Germany's second-quarter COVID-19 vaccine supply contract amounts to approximately 80 million doses, of which 50 million are Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines. With the U.S. government announcing it will provide 60 million doses of AZ vaccine stockpiles to other countries, and over 50% of adults aged 18 and above vaccinated, export restrictions on vaccines have also begun to ease significantly, indicating that the vaccine shortage will be largely resolved. The German Ministry of Health estimates that by next month, one in three people in the total population will be able to receive at least one dose.

Chancellor Merkel indicated that vaccinated individuals will be exempt from quarantine measures and enjoy freedom, also hinting at normalization plans. She explained, "Those who have completed COVID-19 vaccination or have recovered from COVID-19 will be able to shop or visit hair salons without a negative test result," adding, "There will also be no quarantine requirement for those entering from abroad." She concluded, "Today's meeting was a meeting of hope," and added, "So far, only a relatively small portion of the population has been vaccinated, but the vaccination speed is accelerating significantly."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.