(GermanPolicy.com) – According to media reports, Federal Health Minister Lauterbach (SPD) has spoken of the possibility of a highly contagious Omicron variant of the Coronavirus, literally mentioning the term “killer variant.” This has now led to critical reactions. Virologist Schmidt-Chanasit said Lauterbach’s description did not come from the World Health Organization nor from other health authorities. Virologist Streeck warned that Lauterbach was causing panic.

Schmidt-Chanasit justified his reaction by saying that there was widespread basic immunization. In addition to immunization by antibodies in the population, there is also cellular immunity. Streek emphasized that the development of variants is unpredictable.