In the medium term, Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Minister Presidents of the federal states want to include companies in Germany in their further vaccination strategy. An interdisciplinary working group in the Otto Group Holding has therefore already begun to develop a corresponding vaccination concept for the employees of the entire Otto Group. Using Hamburg as an example, it is examining which medical, procedural and structural requirements would have to be created in order to be able to offer vaccinations against the COVID-19 virus on the company premises. The resulting roll-out-capable vaccination concept should then serve as an adaptable blueprint for all other Group companies in Germany and, if necessary, at locations in other countries.
Roland Weber, Head of Lean Management at HF, sits on the overarching working group as a representative of Hermes Fulfilment. "Hermes Fulfilment supports the team by contributing solutions and experience from the perspective of a Group company with many industrial employees at several locations," explains Roland. For example, parts of our exemplary concept for preventing coronavirus infections in the companies could also be applied to the vaccination process in order to make it as safe as possible for all employees.
HF prepares itself At the same time, a project team at HF, which includes Roland, Eva Witte (Managing Director), Thomas Hilgendorf (Head of Safety & Investigation), Jens-Peter Stehnke (Head of HR), Patrick Sievert (Head of Occupational Safety) and Holger Reher (Team Leader Communications), is preparing to implement the vaccination concept at Hermes Fulfilment. "We want to have the necessary preparations in place when the starting signal is given," says Eva, explaining the team's work. "We are doing everything we can to ensure the health and well-being of our colleagues within the scope of their work and are also considering the individual requirements and general conditions at our sites."
Uncertain start date However, it is also clear: "We don't yet know when we can actually get started - that depends above all on the availability of a vaccine," says Eva. It is also not yet clear which vaccines will be made available. The team is currently examining under which circumstances we could offer vaccinations directly at our sites and in which companies it would make more sense to enter into partnerships with other companies, service providers or vaccination centers, for example.
Communication is also important to the HF working group: "We need to ensure that our colleagues are sufficiently informed in order to allay fears and provide the best possible basis for decision-making," explains Holger. It is also currently more important than ever to remain vigilant: "The rising incidences in many regions and the increased spread of coronavirus mutations require all of us at HF to be more vigilant," adds Thomas. "Only if we continue to adhere strictly to our protective measures can we protect ourselves, our colleagues, our families and our friends from infection."
If, despite all precautions, an infection does occur, it is important to recognize this as quickly as possible and take the necessary measures to prevent the spread within a shift or an entire company. "We have to look out for each other and also have a great responsibility towards our Group customers," says Eva.
"Please don't wait until we can start vaccinating" After the federal government gave the federal states approval for vaccination for the so-called Prioritization Group 2 at the last federal-state summit on 3 March 2021, some federal states such as Schleswig-Holstein and Hamburg immediately started implementation and allocated vaccination appointments to all those entitled to them. This includes people with high-risk pre-existing conditions such as severe kidney disease or cancer, nursing staff, contact persons of pregnant women or of a person in need of care who is not in an institution. "Anyone who belongs to prioritization group 2, who can therefore be vaccinated and would like to do so, should take advantage of this opportunity and make an appointment for a vaccination. Please don't wait until we can start vaccinating," appeals Katy Roewer, OTTO Divisional Director Service and Labor Director of Otto GmbH & Co KG. The current status is that after the vaccination centers, only the general practitioners will initially be instructed to administer the available vaccines to their patients. It is not yet clear when company doctors will actually be included in the federal government's vaccination campaign.
