News from Germany

Therefore, rehabilitation adopts a bio-psycho-social framework, though resistance from patients against acknowledging psychological factors is common.
Really putting it out there in writing that they don't care about consent. They'll impose their beliefs no matter the outcomes, regardless of evidence, just because they can. Because it's easy to throw millions of people into the trash.
This controversy has impacted patients’ willingness to start or complete rehabilitation.
Just total bullshit. They keep hiding their mistakes behind their mistakes, total dereliction of duty.
This contrasts with previous rehabilitation literature, highlighting the importance of expectation management. Realistic patient education may prevent nocebo effects and help maximize placebo-related benefits.
Just making stuff up to excuse their failure while making fraudulent claims of effective treatments when they have no such thing because they're not even trying.
Most PCS patients gradually improve within 18 months, yet many require rehabilitation for successful reintegration.
Probably the only true statement in this, and it completely invalidates everything they claim as there is no evidence to support their claim that rehabilitation helps, when it likely produces worse outcomes. Absolutely delusional. A whole-ass profession incapable of learning basic things if it doesn't conform with their expectations. Failure by design, of choice, intentional.
 

Google Translated website.

863,000 people affected! Government considers abolishing care level 1


The nursing care funds are empty, and the government has to cut costs. Now the Minister of Health is considering abolishing the lowest level of care.

AI Summary:

Due to a projected €2 billion funding shortfall in Germany’s statutory long-term care insurance for 2026, the government is considering abolishing Care Level 1 as a cost-cutting measure.

Care Level 1 currently supports about 863,000 people, providing them with a €131 monthly allowance for basic help (e.g., household aid, family caregivers), plus subsidies for home modifications and emergency systems. Eliminating this level could save the government around €1.8 billion annually, according to economic estimates.

The proposal is being discussed within the ruling coalition (CDU/CSU and SPD), and a working group is reviewing the broader care system. A formal report is expected by mid-October. Politicians like CDU’s Sepp Müller stress the need to reduce non-wage labor costs to protect jobs and the economy, and say all cost-saving options should be considered.
 
Landmark Rulings Recognize Long Covid and ME/CFS as Physical Illnesses — Not Psychological Disorders

German Courts Open Path to Disability Rights for Post-Viral Patients Following Breakthrough Legal Decisions


Two German social courts have ruled that Long Covid and ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) are not psychological disorders — a significant legal milestone for those affected by post-viral illnesses. These rulings challenge previous classifications and could pave the way for broader recognition of disability rights for thousands.

One of the key cases was won by 34-year-old Pia Lingen (name changed) from Teltow, who developed ME/CFS following a COVID-19 infection in late 2021. Despite a complex array of symptoms — including exhaustion, cognitive impairment, sleep issues, asthma, and circulatory problems — the local social welfare office had only recognized a degree of disability (GdB) of 40, insufficient for full legal protections.

However, the Social Court of Potsdam overturned that decision and granted her a GdB of 50, officially recognizing her as severely disabled. This qualifies her for vital support, including additional leave, tax benefits, early retirement, and stronger protection from dismissal — especially important given her fluctuating condition.

The court emphasized that ME/CFS is not a mental illness, directly opposing the classification previously used by the social welfare authority. Instead, it should be assessed under the category for multisystem diseases, which rely on individual functional impairment rather than rigid diagnostic tables.

Attorney Friedrich Alexander Barthel, who represented Lingen, called the decision a “breakthrough” with potential precedent-setting impact. He noted the court’s insistence on a “holistic assessment” of medical records — including those from treating physicians — rather than relying solely on brief evaluations by state-appointed medical experts, which often miss the fluctuating nature of these illnesses.

These rulings may lead to broader legal recognition of post-viral conditions in Germany and signal a shift in how disability rights are granted to people with complex, often misunderstood diseases like ME/CFS and Long Covid.
 

Translated website.


AI Summary
Hessen: More Support for Long Covid Patients

On October 1, 2025, the Hessian state parliament discussed improving care for Long Covid patients, particularly those suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), which affects over 800,000 people in Germany. Due to difficulties in diagnosis, many patients—including children and adolescents—experience severe symptoms, ranging from extreme fatigue to pain from light touch.

At the initiative of the SPD and CDU, the state government plans to fund a digital care project (AmRe-LoCo) in the Lahn-Dill district with nearly €500,000. The proposal also includes awareness campaigns for doctors and institutions, aiming for better recognition of ME/CFS as a physical illness and for insurance providers to cover off-label treatments until approved medications become available.

Further measures include creating informational materials for pediatricians and youth services, and increasing research efforts. SPD and FDP representatives emphasized the urgent need for scientific studies and therapies, while the Greens called for a nationwide network of specialized clinics. Criticism came from the AfD, demanding more concrete support for individuals harmed by COVID-19 vaccinations (Post-Vac), and accused the government of neglecting them.
 
The german Ärztezeitung wrote an article about a small post-vac study by Susanne Döpfmer.

Link to translated article

AI Summary in English:

DEGAM Congress: GPs' Views on Post-Vac Syndrome After COVID Vaccination


A recent survey among general practitioners (GPs) in six German research networks revealed that a significant number of doctors consider Post-Vac—symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination—as a distinct clinical condition. According to the results, 43% of respondents believe Post-Vac is a separate disease entity, and 36% reported having suspected it in their own practice.

The study, presented by Dr. Susanne Döpfner from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin at the DEGAM Congress 2025, aimed primarily to test the feasibility of larger multi-network projects. The topic remains controversial, as Post-Vac symptoms are often vague and varied—commonly fatigue or cardiac-related complaints—and are frequently self-reported by patients.

Despite mentions of vaccine-related symptoms in Germany’s 2024 Long COVID guidelines, the Paul Ehrlich Institute states that there is no officially recognized diagnosis of Post-Vac and no scientifically proven causal link between COVID-19 vaccination and these symptoms.

The data came from 156 participating practices, with 85 physicians providing insights on Post-Vac. On average, they reported about ten patients who believed they had Post-Vac. While patients often suspected fatigue to be related, doctors more frequently linked the complaints to cardiac symptoms.

The results also showed generational differences: younger doctors (average age 45) were more skeptical of Post-Vac, often attributing the symptoms to psychosomatic or psychiatric causes. Older doctors were more likely to consider it a real condition.

Due to the small sample size, Döpfner urged caution in interpreting the findings. However, she emphasized that regardless of one’s stance on the legitimacy of Post-Vac, symptoms following COVID vaccination are a frequent reason for consultations in almost every GP practice.

This is the study abstract, found via the DEGAM website here:

Die hausärztliche Perspektive auf Post-COVID-ähnliche Symptome nach einer COVID-19-Impfung – Ergebnisse einer Umfrage in sechs deutschen Forschungspraxennetzen

S. Döpfmer1, C. Kretzschmann2, K. Mergenthal3, M. Pentzek4, A. Polanc5, K. Voigt6

1 Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
2 Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Würzburg, Bayern, Deutschland
3 Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Frankfurt, Hessen, Deutschland
4 Universität Duisberg-Essen, Medizinische Fakultät, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin, Gruppe Primärversorgungsforschung, Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Deutschland
5 Universitätsklinikum Tübingen, Medizinische Fakultät der Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Institut für Allgemeinmedizin und Interprofessionelle Versorgung, Tübingen, Baden-Württemberg, Deutschland
6 Medizinische Fakultät und Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus an der Technischen Universität Dresden, Selbständiger Bereich Allgemeinmedizin, Dresden, Sachsen, Deutschland

Hintergrund

Eine Richtlinie des Gemeinsamen Bundesausschusses (G-BA) aus dem Jahr 2023 stellt Hausärzt*innen (HÄ) in den Mittelpunkt der Versorgung von Patient*innen mit Long-/Post-COVID, einschließlich jener, deren Symptome nach einer COVID-19-Impfung („Post-Vac“) auftraten. Bisher gibt es keine Studien, die die Beratungsanlässe von Patient*innen mit dem Verdacht auf „Post-Vac“ oder die Perspektiven der HÄ zu diesem Thema untersuchen.

Zielsetzung/Fragestellung

Die „COVID_ShortForm_GP“-Studie war eine Pilotstudie mit primären Fragestellungen zur Prävalenz des Post-COVID-Syndroms in der Primärversorgung und der Einstellung der HÄ dazu. Das Ziel einer Teilstudie war es, darüber hinaus die Erfahrungen von HÄ in der Versorgung von Patient*innen mit dem Verdacht auf „Post-Vac“ zu untersuchen. Die sekundären Forschungsfragen der „Covid-Shortform-GP“-Studie konzentrierten sich daher auf die Einschätzung der HÄ, ob „Post-Vac“ eine eigenständige Erkrankung darstellt, sowie auf die berichteten Beratungsanlässe.

Material & Methoden

Die „COVID_ShortForm_GP“-Studie wurde in sechs Forschungspraxennetzen der „Initiative Deutscher Forschungspraxennetze“ mit 18 universitären Instituten sowie 156 Hausarztpraxen durchgeführt. Im Rahmen des über REDCap bereitgestellten Online-Fragebogens beantworteten die HÄ drei Fragen zu dem Thema "Post-Vac" entsprechend den sekundären Fragestellungen dieser Teilstudie. Die Analyse erfolgte deskriptiv-explorativ; Freitextantworten wurden mittels Inhaltsanalyse kategorisiert.

Ergebnisse

42,9 % der teilnehmenden HÄ betrachteten „Post-Vac“ als eine eigenständige Erkrankung. Mehr als 90 % hatten bereits Patient*innen, die annahmen, an „Post-Vac“ zu leiden; 36,1 % der HÄ hatten Patient*innen, bei denen sie selbst „Post-Vac“ vermuteten. Zu den typischen berichteten Beratungsanlässen gehörten kardiale Beschwerden, Fatigue, muskuloskelettale Schmerzen und neurokognitive Beeinträchtigungen.

Diskussion

HÄ betreuen Patient*innen mit Beratungsanlässen, die sie selbst oder die Patient*innen mit „Post-Vac“ assoziieren. Unsere Studie erhebt keinen Anspruch auf Repräsentativität, gibt aber erste Hinweise, dass die Mehrheit der HÄ damit konfrontiert sein könnte.

Take Home Message für die Praxis

HÄ sind in der Versorgung von Patient*innen mit Verdacht auf “Post-Vac“ mit Unsicherheit auf dem Boden fehlender Evidenz konfrontiert. Im Umgang mit Betroffenen haben daher die hausärztlichen Kernaufgaben Bedeutung: vorurteilsfreie Anerkennung der Symptome, kontinuierliche Betreuung, Berücksichtigung sozialer Aspekte sowie Schutz vor Unter-/ Über- und Fehlversorgung.
 
The results also showed generational differences: younger doctors (average age 45) were more skeptical of Post-Vac, often attributing the symptoms to psychosomatic or psychiatric causes. Older doctors were more likely to consider it a real condition.
A clear sign of the regression medicine has suffered in recent decades with the creep of psychosomatic ideology. It's why despite actual progress made, we have pretty much fallen back.
Despite mentions of vaccine-related symptoms in Germany’s 2024 Long COVID guidelines, the Paul Ehrlich Institute states that there is no officially recognized diagnosis of Post-Vac and no scientifically proven causal link between COVID-19 vaccination and these symptoms.
Why can't they apply this reasoning to psychosomatic stuff? It's even less plausible, even though we know for a fact that vaccines do cause symptoms in some people, so what the hell are they even saying here?
 
Why can't they apply this reasoning to psychosomatic stuff? It's even less plausible, even though we know for a fact that vaccines do cause symptoms in some people, so what the hell are they even saying here?
My data system doesn’t have a category that says red cars. Because the there are no red cars in the system, I can confidently say that red cars don’t exist.
 
AI Summary:
Germany’s Incomplete Covid Data: Unclear Vaccination Status for Most Deaths

Lack of Reliable Data


Five years after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Germany’s Health Ministry has, for the first time, released data on the vaccination status of those who died from the virus. However, these statistics, obtained by the NZZ, reveal serious deficiencies: in more than 60% of the 187,000 COVID-related deaths recorded between 2020 and 2024, the vaccination status was not documented.

Misleading Public Statements

Of the recorded deaths, approximately 39,000 were unvaccinated and 33,000 had received at least one vaccine dose. However, almost all the unvaccinated deaths (around 36,000) occurred in 2020, before vaccines were available. This implies that only about 3,000 unvaccinated deaths occurred after the vaccine rollout began—a number too small to support claims about a “pandemic of the unvaccinated.” Despite this, politicians like President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and former Health Ministers Karl Lauterbach and Jens Spahn publicly blamed the unvaccinated for the strain on hospitals, basing their statements on unverifiable data.

Criticism from the Scientific Community

Experts have heavily criticized the reliability of the figures. Epidemiologist Klaus Stöhr pointed out that the data allows for almost any interpretation and described Germany’s pandemic data collection as “at best incomplete.” The inconsistency is particularly striking considering that more people died after 2020, despite vaccines and less aggressive virus variants.

Systemic Failures in Data Collection

Germany’s outdated infrastructure contributed significantly to these issues. Until the end of the pandemic, many local health offices still transmitted vital statistics by fax. Reporting paused on weekends and holidays, and data on ICU patients' vaccination status was delayed for months after regulations required it. In contrast, countries like Denmark and the UK had already ended their pandemics by the time Germany began collecting this information.

International Studies Excluded Germany

Germany’s failure to provide reliable data meant that international studies, such as one published in The Lancet, could not include it in their analysis of vaccine effectiveness. The researchers noted that while Germany had gathered data, it was not made available for evaluation. The Robert Koch Institute attributed this to inconsistent data collection by local health departments.

Consequences Beyond the Pandemic

This data deficit is not limited to COVID-19. Germany’s reporting on other health threats to the EU’s ECDC is also incomplete. The issue became particularly severe in early 2021 when rare but serious side effects from the AstraZeneca vaccine—such as brain thromboses—emerged. Germany lacked the data to assess the risk and had to rely on statistics from countries like the Netherlands and Denmark.

Calls for Accountability

Experts, including virologist Alexander Kekulé, warn that such data gaps hinder the detection of drug side effects and environmental health risks. Politicians like FDP’s Wolfgang Kubicki have called for a parliamentary investigation, arguing that key legal decisions during the pandemic were made based on incomplete or misleading information.

Conclusion

Germany’s failure to adequately track and report critical health data during the COVID-19 pandemic has raised serious questions about the legitimacy of its public health messaging and the effectiveness of its political decision-making. The lack of transparency and professionalism in data collection may have had far-reaching consequences for public trust and policy outcomes.

 
The big german magazine DER SPIEGEL features a long interview with parents of a pwME. The father is also coauthor of this excellent care guide:



AI Summary:
"Living in Darkness: Caring for a Daughter with Severe ME/CFS"


A Life in Silence and Darkness​

Milena Hermisson, 22, has been severely ill with ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) for over five years. Since 2022, she has been living in a dark room, wearing an eye mask and earplugs to shield her from light and sound, which her body cannot tolerate. She cannot speak, sit, read, or communicate normally. Her parents, Sabine and Joachim Hermisson, have been her sole caregivers, dedicating their lives to her care. Together with the Medical University of Vienna and the Austrian Society for ME/CFS, they have now published a detailed care guide for patients with severe forms of the illness.


What is ME/CFS?​

ME/CFS is a chronic illness marked by post-exertional malaise (PEM)—a worsening of symptoms after even minor physical or mental exertion. Other common symptoms include sleep disturbances, pain, cognitive impairments, circulatory issues, and extreme sensitivity to stimuli like light and sound. It often follows an infection such as the flu, mononucleosis, or COVID-19.


A Different Kind of Care​

Unlike standard medical care, which focuses on encouraging activity, ME/CFS care requires the opposite approach: minimizing exertion and stimulation. This principle is known as "Pacing". For severely ill patients like Milena, even the presence of another person in the room can be too much. The goal is to avoid worsening the condition.

The Hermissons describe how simple tasks—like hand washing or applying lotion—must be done gently and efficiently, sometimes in small steps. Fixed daily routines reduce stress and the need for communication, which can also be exhausting.


Communication Through Gestures​

Milena has not spoken in a long time. She communicates through hand signs, which are less draining than words. On good days, she signals when she can tolerate up to three spoken words. These brief moments are used to convey essential information or comfort. Despite the limitations, Milena and her parents maintain a deep emotional connection, often expressed through shared laughter.


The Importance of the Care Guide​

The care manual the Hermissons co-authored fills a critical gap in the healthcare system. When Milena first became bedridden, they found almost no professional guidance. The document offers practical, experience-based advice for families and caregivers, covering everything from hygiene and feeding to managing sensory input and emergencies.

It also addresses the psychological toll of the illness—on both patients and caregivers—and calls attention to the lack of medical understanding and infrastructure for ME/CFS in healthcare systems.


Daily Challenges and Long-Term Strain​

The Hermissons’ daily life revolves around Milena’s care. They have no backup plan for emergencies where both might fall ill. Their social life is limited, and they haven’t taken a vacation together in years. Even simple celebrations like Christmas are bittersweet, as Milena remains physically absent despite being emotionally present.

Despite the sacrifices, both parents say their life has meaning—but stress that it’s their daughter’s life that is truly unbearable, due to the illness and the systemic neglect she faces.


A Call for Awareness and Change​

The Hermissons hope their care guide reaches not only families but also medical professionals, many of whom still lack an understanding of ME/CFS. The most severely affected patients, like Milena, remain invisible—unable to visit clinics or hospitals.

They urge society to recognize ME/CFS as a real, debilitating disease, and to develop support structures, including home visits by trained professionals, and medical protocols that respect patients’ extreme sensitivities.


Quote from the Care Guide
“Severe ME/CFS is a psychological extreme state, intensified by neglect from the healthcare system. Despair, fear, and panic are common. Depression is rarer but can arise as a result of ongoing suffering.”


This story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of families, the failures of medical systems, and the urgent need to see and support the invisible lives behind closed, darkened doors.
 

Rising ME/CFS Cases in Eastern Bavaria Following COVID-19: Patients Demand Specialized Care


A growing health crisis in Eastern Bavaria

In Eastern Bavaria, the number of people suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) has increased significantly, particularly after COVID-19 infections. This complex, multisystem illness causes severe fatigue, pain, cognitive issues, sleep disturbances, and extreme sensitivity to stimuli. It affects women three times more often than men, especially between the ages of 30–39 and in adolescents aged 10–19.

Despite the seriousness of the disease, ME/CFS remains largely unrecognized by the healthcare system, and patients frequently face misdiagnoses or are labeled as having psychological issues.


Patients fighting for recognition and support

Patients like Anna Fuchshuber and Silke Droll describe a life dictated by their drastically reduced energy levels. Even minor activities can cause extreme relapses. Anna's mother, Kathrin Fuchshuber, has been advocating for ME/CFS recognition for years and founded the initiative “Leben zurück” to support others. She criticizes the lack of awareness and calls the current situation a catastrophe.

In Regensburg, patient groups are campaigning for the establishment of Bavaria’s first specialized ME/CFS outpatient clinic at the University Hospital Regensburg (UKR), as part of the initiative “ME/CFS-Versorgungskatastrophe in Ostbayern”.


Post-COVID link and medical challenges

Dr. Christoph Lassen from UKR emphasizes that COVID-19 has drastically increased ME/CFS cases. According to him, up to 80% of Post-COVID patients may develop ME/CFS. However, there are no standard treatments, and health insurance does not cover specialized care or therapies like blood filtration or supportive medications.

As a result, patients must often pay out of pocket for treatment. Even applying for disability benefits or care levels is a bureaucratic challenge.


Systemic gaps and long waiting times

ME/CFS patients in Bavaria currently lack medical support. The few specialists available have extremely long waiting lists — new appointments at the UKR are only possible from May 2026. Though Regensburg is equipped for rare disease diagnostics, ME/CFS is no longer considered rare due to the rising number of cases.

Efforts in children’s care are more advanced, such as the PAIS center at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). However, for adults, the system remains inadequate.


Political efforts and ministry statements

CSU State MP Stefan Meyer stresses the urgent need for local care facilities. In July 2025, the Bavarian State Health Council passed a resolution supporting interdisciplinary care structures for post-viral syndromes, including ME/CFS.

However, the Bavarian Health Ministry downplays expectations, stating no concrete plans exist for ME/CFS clinics in Regensburg, Passau, Neuburg, or Würzburg. Instead, it refers patients to general practitioners and environmental medicine clinics — a solution many consider insufficient.


What patients are demanding

  • Estimated 20,000 affected in Eastern Bavaria; no contact points since Post-COVID clinics were closed in December 2024
  • Lack of medical training for GPs leads to misdiagnosis and inadequate care
  • Call for action: On October 11, politicians, doctors, and patients will meet in Regensburg to discuss:
    • Establishing a ME/CFS clinic at UKR
    • Providing doctor training programs
    • Building a network of ME/CFS-focused GP practices

Conclusion

Patients and advocacy groups are pushing back against a system they feel has abandoned them. The increasing prevalence of ME/CFS following COVID-19, combined with poor healthcare structures and insufficient research funding, creates a critical need for specialized, accessible care in Eastern Bavaria and beyond.
 
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