The Second Reich’s Serums & Vaccines
In analyzing the economic structure of Germany one can draw many conclusions on the household German values. For example, the love of cars is prevalent as they account for 6.77% of exports. Also, the Germans pride themselves on their efficiency, which explains why Information and Communications Technology is their largest export at 11.63%. Yet, more subtle inferences can be made of the other industries prevalent in the Germany economy. I took great notice of the serum and vaccine industry in Germany. The history of immunization in Germany goes far past the recent COVID-19 pandemic, stretching all the way back to the Deutsches Kaiserreich. In 1874, mandatory vaccination was introduced to the entire German empire. This was continued into the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the German Democratic Republic (GDR) until 1982/1983. In the GDR, vaccinations were taken very seriously, and the population was monitored closely to ensure 100% vaccination rates. At first, the mandate was only at the regional level, but it soon moved into compulsory vaccinations against measles and similar diseases. Since the 1980s, vaccinations have been moved from public health authorities to office-based physicians. In 2007, protective immunizations were made a benefit of statutory health insurance. This marked the beginning of a modernization of vaccination in Germany.
In 2021, total exports of Serums and vaccines amounted to $49Bn, making Germany the second largest exporter of Serums and vaccines in the world. Leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic, Germany remained a steady supplier of the world's vaccines. For example, from 2012 to 2020 it exported over $1bn worth of vaccines and serums to the United States, a figure which reached $4.36bn during the pandemic. Much like the automobile industry, the vaccine and serum industry has become a part of German identity. It has been weaved into the social fabric of the country since the Second Reich and remained steadfast through the tumultuous history of Germany. Its position as a vital industry was solidified through the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed Germany's strong healthcare system and innovative vaccination technologies as leaders of global health systems. Germany was one of few countries able to support their population with the healthcare technology already preexisting in their hospitals. Unlike the United States, Germany had plenty of ventilators and hospital beds for their “at-risk” population.
In summary, Germany has been a continued leader in not only their export of serums and vaccines but their healthcare strategy as well. Implementing one of the world's only private/publicly supplied healthcare service industries and maintaining its stability for decades proves Germany's resolve. A nation scarred with a bloody but fascinating history continues to remain a major player in healthcare on the global stage.
Sources:
- Klein S, Schöneberg I, Krause G. Vom Zwang zur Pockenschutzimpfung zum Nationalen Impfplan. Die Entwicklung des Impfwesens vom Deutschen Kaiserreich bis heute [The historical development of immunization in Germany. From compulsory smallpox vaccination to a National Action Plan on Immunization]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 2012 Nov;55(11–12):1512–23. German. doi: 10.1007/s00103–012–1539–7. PMID: 23114451.
- Harvard Atlas of Economic Complexity https://atlas.cid.harvard.edu/countries/61/export-basket
