German Health Minister expects pandemic to end in spring

The end of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany is possible in the spring, provided that no new coronavirus variant with vaccine resistance emerges

The end of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany is possible in the spring, provided that no new coronavirus variant with vaccine resistance emerges, German Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn said on Wednesday, Qazet.az reports citing Sputnik.

"Unless a new virus variant, resistant to vaccination, emerges, which is very unlikely, then in the spring we will overcome the pandemic and be able to return to normal life," Spahn told German newspaper Augsburger Allgemeine.

However, despite the optimistic forecast, the minister warned the population about a possible increase in the incidence of the disease in autumn and winter.

"We are not done yet. In autumn and winter, when we are all indoors and the immune system is less strong, the risk of getting infected also increases," Spahn said, adding that "those who do not get vaccinated have a high probability of getting sick."

Germany began the vaccination drive last December. The country's authorities target to achieve a vaccination rate of 85% in the 12-59 age group and 90% among those over 60.