It has been just under ten months since three Frankfurt residents were diagnosed with the then still novel coronavirus on March 1, 2020. A lot has happened in those ten long months. A lot that we don't like to remember back. And the virus still has us in its grip: since March, more than 20,000 Frankfurt residents have become infected with the dangerous disease. According to the Hessian Ministry of Social Affairs, there have been 319 deaths.
However, in the months since the outbreak, a lot of positive things have also happened - like the impressively rapid development of vaccines. And as of yesterday, Sunday, there is real hope in the fight against the pandemic. On that day, the launch of the vaccination against the coronavirus also took place in Frankfurt. We got underway at 7:45 a.m. at the Vaccination Center in the Festival Hall. In the in-house pharmacy, the vaccine was prepared for onward transport and then distributed to the mobile vaccination teams. On the first day, 455 doses were available - of which around 100 were given to employees of the Covid ward of the University Hospital and 40 to each of three old people's and nursing homes. The Hufeland-Haus in Seckbach, the GDA-Wohnstift in Ostend and the Victor-Gollancz-Haus in Sossenheim were among those vaccinated. The first person to be vaccinated in Frankfurt was Florian Bär, a caregiver at Hufeland-Haus.
Lord Mayor Peter Feldmann was personally on hand in the morning at the Festhalle and later at Gollancz-Haus. Health and personnel department head Stefan Majer informed himself at the start early in the morning at the fair.
The vaccination start is something very special, said the city leader. Feldmann stressed, "Frankfurt has waited ten months for this moment. Of course we would have wished for more vaccine at the start, but the beginning has been made. The fact that it is finally getting underway gives us hope - and motivates us to persevere. Because the virus has not yet been conquered. Unfortunately, the vaccine is not a magic potion that we can quickly mix in a cauldron and distribute. It will take months to vaccinate everyone who wants to be vaccinated. Until then, contact restrictions and adherence to the AHA-L rule - distance, hygiene, everyday mask and ventilation - are our most effective weapons against Corona."
Majer added, "Just as many people look forward to Christmas every year, this year another anticipation was added: We're finally going to start vaccinating against this darn virus. These vaccinations mean a real chance of survival for all those who are particularly vulnerable to Corona. But despite all our efforts, it will take a long time to vaccinate everyone who wants to be vaccinated. For that, we ask for your understanding and patience. And while we're waiting, for heaven's sake, let's not get careless."
What happens next?
In the coming weeks, the focus will be particularly on the residents of retirement and nursing homes. They are particularly at risk from the virus. They will not be vaccinated in the vaccination center in the festival hall, but - as already on December 27 - by mobile vaccination teams. In total, there are six such vaccination teams, two each from the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund, the Malteser Hilfsdienst and the Johannitern.
The first vaccinations at the vaccination center are expected in the course of January. According to the state's deployment order, Frankfurt can expect two more deliveries this year. On Monday, December 28, 1290 doses are to be made available, and on Wednesday, December 30, 1675 doses, plus 500 each for clinic staff - makes 4420 doses together with the delivery already made.
