Against its stereotype of order, Germany’s vaccine rollout has descended into a frenzy as people turn to tip-offs, online message boards and cold calls to doctors in a scramble to get a COVID-19 shot.
Hampered by a shortage of supply, Germany started by vaccinating its oldest and most vulnerable citizens and has been gradually expanding shots to priority professions such as teachers and those working in critical infrastructure.
As stocks increased, it brought family doctors on board in April and some states lifted age limits for AstraZeneca’s vaccine, prompting many younger people to call practices in the hope of getting doses.
But getting an appointment requires a bit of luck and the stamina to hustle.
One of those desperate for a vaccine was David Lynch, a 53-year-old yoga teacher in Berlin. His partner fired off more than 150 emails to doctors’ surgeries, but only seven replied, offering to put him on an indefinite waiting list.
A tip-off on Twitter alerted them to a practice…