German minister warns of Omicron wave despite falling figures

German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach expects a large wave of the more contagious coronavirus variant Omicron in Germany at the turn of the year.

His warning came despite the nationwide seven-day incidence rate decreasing. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) reported that the number of new infections per 100,000 inhabitants per week on Thursday was 280.3. Wednesday's value was 289.0 and a week ago it was 340.1.

"We don't have a big, fast wave yet. That will change at the turn of the year and in the first week of January," Lauterbach told broadcaster WDR.

In some European countries, such as Britain, the Omicron variant is already prevalent, he said.

The 58-year-old, recently installed in the role as part of the new German coalition government, also said he expected more Omicron-specific jabs to be needed later next year after the third booster vaccinations.

"Personally, I would assume a fourth vaccination will be necessary," he said, adding this has not yet been scientifically proven.

"What we know for sure is that we need the booster vaccinations" as they can prevent "70 to 80 per cent of symptomatic cases of disease," the minister stressed, adding that it was impossible to tell if many more rounds of jabs would be needed.

"That will depend on how long the booster vaccinations work. We cannot yet say anything about repeat vaccinations," Lauterbach said.

The minister, who is a trained epidemiologist, could not predict what the pandemic will look like in a year's time.

"Nobody knows. That would be looking into a crystal ball. But I assume that new variants will form. No one can say whether they will become more dangerous," he said.

Lauterbach is now looking forward to Christmas with his family after a hectice period since his appointment.

He said he had "missed out on family time" recently but was not planning a big party for Christmas or New Year's Eve.

"I will celebrate in a very small group. Less than five people. I will celebrate a contemplative holiday and I advise everyone to do the same," he said a day before Christmas Eve.

The health ministers of the German states have asked the federal government to procure sufficient vaccines for the booster campaign.

"Even if many questions about Omicron are still unanswered, the experts agree that booster vaccinations are particularly important to protect against the virus variant," Bavaria's Health Minister Klaus Holetschek said after a videoconference of state health ministers on Wednesday.

The ministers welcomed Tuesday's recommendation by the Standing Commission on Vaccination (Stiko) to offer booster vaccinations after just three months.

"We ask the federal government to procure vaccines promptly," Holetschek continued. "Our capacity in vaccination centres and in practices is ready, and vaccination numbers show that many people want to be vaccinated. Now it's a matter of delivery."

But it is also clear, he said, that "vaccination alone will not protect us from Omicron."