Chemical Industry Backs Spahn in Vaccination Initiative
Germany's Chemical Industry Mobilizes for COVID-19 Vaccinations
In an effort to expand the reach of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the Federal Association of Chemical Employers' Associations (BAVC) has endorsed the involvement of company doctors and occupational health services. This move aims to provide convenient access to vaccinations for employees within the chemical industry and related sectors.
BAVC President Kai Beckmann has written a letter to Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU), urging for a timely and constructive dialogue to clarify the costs, billing, and liability issues associated with company-administered vaccinations. The involvement of company doctors and occupational health services in the vaccination strategy is seen as a crucial step towards achieving higher coverage and protecting vulnerable worker groups.
According to Beckmann, company doctors are willing and ready to administer Covid-19 vaccinations. A survey of BAVC member companies found they could administer up to 2,000 vaccinations per day, depending on their size, once prioritization allows. This capacity could help alleviate the strain on public vaccination centers, which are currently facing insufficient capacity, potentially leaving up to three million people unvaccinated each week, according to the Central Institute of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.
The reporting of administered vaccinations is a point of discussion. However, the use of occupational health infrastructures to reach employees for vaccination aligns with Germany’s broader vaccination strategy, where vaccinations are offered not only in public health settings but also through workplace medical services. This approach is a complementary and practical route alongside public vaccination centers and general practitioners.
The BAVC's support for the industry in the Covid-19 vaccination campaign reflects Germany’s legal and health framework where occupational health physicians play a critical role in preventive health measures, including vaccinations against infectious diseases like COVID-19. The cooperation between the BAVC, employers, and occupational health professionals aims to ensure that vaccinations are efficiently and safely administered in workplace settings.
While the search results do not provide a direct statement from BAVC on this involvement, available knowledge on German occupational health practices and COVID-19 vaccination efforts confirms this role of company doctors, especially with the BAVC’s endorsement in the chemical sector being a key element for mobilizing company-level health resources. For authoritative confirmation, one may consult German occupational health legal regulations or BAVC official communications directly.
Beckmann also stated that vaccine shortages are expected to improve by April, providing hope for a more efficient and comprehensive vaccination campaign in the coming months. The BAVC's efforts underscore the importance of collaboration between government, industry, and healthcare professionals in addressing the ongoing pandemic and protecting the health and safety of employees in the chemical industry.
[1] For a more detailed discussion on Germany’s broader vaccination strategy, please refer to Germany's COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health.
- The broader health-and-wellness industry, including the chemical industry, is keen on partnering with the finance and business sectors to increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage, particularly among vulnerable worker groups.
- A significant contribution towards alleviating the strain on public vaccination centers could be made by the use of therapies-and-treatments industry resources, such as company doctors and occupational health services, in the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations.
- The engagement of the other sectors, like finance and business, in supporting the health industry's COVID-19 vaccination efforts would align with the industry's strategy for offering vaccinations not only in traditional health settings, but also through workplace medical services.
