- Germany has ordered millions of new vaccines to offer fourth doses next year
- New health minister Karl Lauterbach said a mandate will stop future waves
- Limits on private gatherings, nightclubs and sports matches have been imposed
Published: 05:08 AEDT, 23 December 2021 | Updated: 07:42 AEDT, 23 December 2021
Germany has warned a fourth Covid vaccine will be needed to stop the spread of the contagious Omicron variant.
Health minister Karl Lauterbach, who has thrown his support behind a vaccine mandate, has ordered 80million doses of a Biontech vaccine which targets Omicron and should arrive in Germany by May.
He has also ordered 4million doses of the newly approved vaccine Novavax – seen as more acceptable to vaccine sceptics – and 11million doses of the new Valneva shot, which is waiting for marketing authorisation.