As of last Saturday (January 15, 2022), recovery status in Germany is only valid for three months after infection. Previously, it was six months. This means that anyone who wants to continue to meet the conditions under Rule 2G, for example to be able to go to the cinema or a restaurant, must be vaccinated soon after infection.
But does vaccination make sense after such a short time? What should those who have recovered take into account now? These and other questions will be answered below.
Why was recovery status shortened in Germany?
According to the Robert Koch Institute, the decision was made from a scientific point of view. Due to the currently predominant Omicron variant, there is a much higher risk of getting sick or being a carrier of the virus after that time.
When is the regulation effective?
The new coronavirus regulations have been in effect in Germany since January 15. Previously valid convalescence certificates also lose retroactive effect if they have been in force for more than three months.
Example: Those who were granted recovery status for four (and up to six) months now lose it. It is worth bearing in mind, however, that the states here can issue their own regulations governing this. Especially when it comes to whether those affected can participate in events subject to 2G or 2G-Plus regulations.
It is also new that the status of “recovered” only applies from the 28th day after infection. Those 28 days will nevertheless still count towards the 90 days. Therefore, you will now only have the benefit of recovery status for 62 days.
Should I receive a booster dose after three months?
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (58, SPD) tweeted Sunday that unvaccinated people who contract Omicron now will have little protection against other variants of the coronavirus in the fall. Lauterbach emphasized that Omicron is not a replacement for vaccination. However, Omikron is currently considered more harmless than previous coronavirus variants.
Prof. Andreas Radbruch (68) is president of the European Federation of Immunological Societies (EFIS). He has stated that “vaccination after infection makes sense if there is a vaccine specifically tailored to Omicron”.
Radbruch says that currently people get infected very easily despite vaccination. With a booster vaccination, protection can be further increased. Generally, however, the best protection comes from infection with the virus, because people who have recovered have stable immunity for a longer period of time.
Does infection count as a booster (“Booster”)?
Those who have been vaccinated twice so far are “boosted” so to speak by the infection. But here too the following applies: If a period of convalescence has elapsed after three months, a booster vaccination should be given.
► Anyone who has received only one dose of vaccine so far will receive a second vaccination three months after infection. This vaccination is then considered to be a booster.
► Unvaccinated persons should take care of the booster dose three months after infection.
How can I prove that I have recovered?
Anyone who has been infected with coronavirus must prove it with a positive PCR test result. Based on the test result, you can pick up a proof of recovery at the pharmacy. Using the QR code on it, the proof can be entered into an app on a smartphone.
Those who wish, however, can still simply submit their recovery status in paper form. Simply bring with you a positive PCR test result and/or (if available) a public health notification.