<p>Germany plans to make enough Covid-19 vaccine doses available to offer a first shot to children aged 12-16 from June 7, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday.</p>.<p>After a sluggish start to its vaccination rollout, Germany has increased the pace of inoculations and imposed nationwide lockdown measures which are now being lifted.</p>.<p>With more than 40% of the population of around 83 million having received at least one dose, attention has turned to the question of extending vaccinations to adolescents.</p>.<p>"Every citizen will be offered a vaccination by the end of the summer. This also includes those who are now likely to be included in this vaccination offer, namely 12- to 16-year-old children," Merkel told a news conference.</p>.<p>"Children and adolescents can then apply for a vaccination appointment after the end of the prioritisation, knowing that the prioritisation will generally be lifted on June 7," she said after meeting regional leaders for a 'vaccination summit'.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/german-researchers-tie-cold-viruses-used-to-deliver-covid-19-vaccine-to-rare-blood-clot-risk-990471.html" target="_blank">German researchers tie cold viruses used to deliver Covid-19 vaccine to rare blood clot risk</a></strong></p>.<p>There are 4.1 million school children in Germany aged 12 years and over, Federal Statistics Office figures show. Opinion on vaccinating them against Covid-19 is divided and the main expert panel on vaccinations has expressed caution.</p>.<p>Some scientists say that, due to a lack of data on long-term effects, it might be better to vaccinate only adolescents with risk factors.</p>.<p>Merkel said parents should not feel pushed into vaccinating their children.</p>.<p>"The important message to all parents is: school does not depend on the question of being vaccinated," she said. "There should be no indirect coercion for parents. We have no obligation to vaccinate."</p>.<p>"This impression must not arise, nor the impression 'I can only go on vacation if I have a vaccinated child'. That would be completely wrong," she added.</p>.<p>The European Medicines Agency could endorse the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 on Friday.</p>.<p>A document made available before Thursday's talks said Germany expects to vaccinate about 60% of people in that age group. About 3.18 million doses for each of the first and second vaccination would be needed.</p>.<p>The Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases reported a 6,313 rise in coronavirus cases in Germany on Thursday, taking the total to more than 3.66 million. The seven-day incidence fell to 41 per 100,000 people, down from around 160 a month ago. The death toll is 87,995 people.</p>
<p>Germany plans to make enough Covid-19 vaccine doses available to offer a first shot to children aged 12-16 from June 7, Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday.</p>.<p>After a sluggish start to its vaccination rollout, Germany has increased the pace of inoculations and imposed nationwide lockdown measures which are now being lifted.</p>.<p>With more than 40% of the population of around 83 million having received at least one dose, attention has turned to the question of extending vaccinations to adolescents.</p>.<p>"Every citizen will be offered a vaccination by the end of the summer. This also includes those who are now likely to be included in this vaccination offer, namely 12- to 16-year-old children," Merkel told a news conference.</p>.<p>"Children and adolescents can then apply for a vaccination appointment after the end of the prioritisation, knowing that the prioritisation will generally be lifted on June 7," she said after meeting regional leaders for a 'vaccination summit'.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/science-and-environment/german-researchers-tie-cold-viruses-used-to-deliver-covid-19-vaccine-to-rare-blood-clot-risk-990471.html" target="_blank">German researchers tie cold viruses used to deliver Covid-19 vaccine to rare blood clot risk</a></strong></p>.<p>There are 4.1 million school children in Germany aged 12 years and over, Federal Statistics Office figures show. Opinion on vaccinating them against Covid-19 is divided and the main expert panel on vaccinations has expressed caution.</p>.<p>Some scientists say that, due to a lack of data on long-term effects, it might be better to vaccinate only adolescents with risk factors.</p>.<p>Merkel said parents should not feel pushed into vaccinating their children.</p>.<p>"The important message to all parents is: school does not depend on the question of being vaccinated," she said. "There should be no indirect coercion for parents. We have no obligation to vaccinate."</p>.<p>"This impression must not arise, nor the impression 'I can only go on vacation if I have a vaccinated child'. That would be completely wrong," she added.</p>.<p>The European Medicines Agency could endorse the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 on Friday.</p>.<p>A document made available before Thursday's talks said Germany expects to vaccinate about 60% of people in that age group. About 3.18 million doses for each of the first and second vaccination would be needed.</p>.<p>The Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases reported a 6,313 rise in coronavirus cases in Germany on Thursday, taking the total to more than 3.66 million. The seven-day incidence fell to 41 per 100,000 people, down from around 160 a month ago. The death toll is 87,995 people.</p>