Naturally, the rising infection and hospitalisation numbers are a cause for concern, Dr Schmit underlined during the interview, especially since we are only at the beginning of the winter. He further believes that the current vaccination rate of 78% is clearly not high enough, but also acknowledged that the campaign was still underway.
Dr Schmit noted that GPs may be in the best position to convince reluctant patients of getting the vaccine. The efficacy of the jabs is a milestone of human bioengineering, the AMMS president further emphasised: “Never before has a vaccine saved this many lives.”
In spite of recent announcements about increased measures in Austria, Dr Schmit believes there is no need for Luxembourg to abolish testing as a means to fulfil the CovidCheck mechanism. He explained that reinforced pressure may only draw counterproductive reactions from those already sceptical of the vaccine.
When asked about personnel shortages in the health care sector, the AMMD president explained that patients already feel repercussions in terms of ER waiting times or when trying to get an appointment with a specialist.
Dr Schmit concluded that decentralised institutions are necessary to counteract the problem and conveyed that a draft bill is in development to create the necessary legal frame for the change.
