Discussion on prevention: How can vaccination rates be increased?
Moderator Dorothee Brakmann (left) spoke with Kristina Ostertag, Georg Kippels, Susanne Wagenmann, Anne-Kathrin Klemm, Heike Gnekow, and Ines Perea (from left to right). / © PZ/Brockfeld
Vaccinations are among the most important inventions in medical history. Despite their enormous benefits, vaccination rates in Germany are comparatively low. Therefore, at the event » Prevention par excellence - Vaccination " discussed how more people can be motivated to get the life-saving jab. The event was organized by the German Pharma Association.
In the first lecture of the day, CDU member of the Bundestag Georg Kippels spoke about how vaccination is a matter close to his heart. Kippels talked about his childhood and remembered how a large vaccination campaign had helped to eradicate the disease Polio was practically eradicated. It has been shown time and again that there is a need for low-threshold vaccination offers. "I need to get information and have the opportunity to get vaccinated. Where can I do that? It might be a bit difficult on a Friday afternoon at the family doctor's, but on a Saturday morning at the Pharmacy would be quite conceivable,” said the MP.
Anne-Kathrin Klemm, board member of the BKK umbrella association, warned in another presentation that some diseases that were actually thought to have been overcome are becoming increasingly common again due to gaps in vaccination. Europe . Klemm also spoke out in favor of vaccinations in pharmacies. A rethink is needed, especially on the part of the medical profession. "No one is being taken away from anything, and I maintain that everyone still earns enough money," said the BKK board member. "We need low-threshold access, and if the doctor's office is closed on Friday afternoons, then the pharmacy is a perfect fit."
Pharmacist Heike Gnekow shared her experiences with vaccination. / © PZ/Brockfeld
Heike Gnekow administers vaccinations in her pharmacy and is also chairwoman of the Federal Association of Pharmacists. She told those present how positively her customers have responded to the vaccination offer. "The overall social responsibility of vaccination is enormous, and everyone must participate. I am firmly convinced that not a single patient will be vaccinated in the doctor's office because the pharmacy also administers vaccinations. That's always on top of everything," said the licensed pharmacist. Especially during off-peak times, you can reach many people, for example, who are on their way home.
Gnekow rejected the argument that patients cannot be adequately cared for in pharmacies in an emergency. Pharmacists are trained for emergencies and, just like doctors, would call 112 if in doubt. "There's also the option of not vaccinating someone at all. We're experts in pharmacy at knowing our limits. We do this every day in self-medication counseling. Every day, we consider whether a patient is a good fit for us or whether we should refer them to a doctor," the pharmacist explained. This principle, of course, also applies to vaccinations.
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