Strong together against COVID-19

Vaccinations for better protection and more freedom

In June 2021, Wirtgen launched its own workplace vaccination programme. In the specially built vaccination centre, we were able to administer the vital jab to around 300 employees who hadn’t yet been vaccinated and offer employees the chance to receive both their first and second vaccinations on site.

Wirtgen Group | Windhagen

When Germany stopped administering the vaccine on the basis of priority groups, it initially meant that people needed to wait and be patient. Both the vaccines and appointments were in short supply – regardless of whether at the vaccination centre or with the family GP. This wasn’t just frustrating, but also led to heated debates and widespread complaints. That’s why we were happy to take advantage of the workplace vaccination option as an important third pillar in the fight against the pandemic, because the safety of our employees is our top priority.

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The vaccine saves lives

…and in the case of the coronavirus, is our only way out of the pandemic. The more people who have been fully vaccinated, the more likely it is that we will be able to interact with each other in social settings and return to a sense of normalcy and freedom. Even though our employees have done an excellent job of complying with the measures put in place to prevent the spread of COVID 19 – many thanks for that – some risk still remains. This is especially true where employees have to work closely together for production reasons. That is why we would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have been vaccinated, protecting themselves and others. In the fight against the virus, we are strong together.

‘This here is an important step for the entire workforce in the fight against the pandemic.’

Christoph von Büdingen, project manager at Wirtgen International GmbH

Friday, 25 June, 8 a.m. The glass showroom in Wirtgen’s main building was no longer recognisable. Instead of the high-tech machines usually on display here, a fully equipped vaccination centre with registration and waiting areas, six vaccination booths and a rest area awaited our employees. Dr Lenz, our long-time company physician who enjoys the complete confidence of the workforce, administered the crucial jab and provided information and advice to employees on request. The first dose was administered on three dates between June 21 and July 11; the second dose was administered six weeks later.


The vaccination coordination team – working together like a well-oiled machine

A specially formed vaccination coordination team was responsible for managing the invitation process, setting up the vaccination line and ensuring that the campaign ran smoothly. The team did their best to accommodate individual appointment requests, availability during the workday and holiday schedules – the vaccination itself took place during working hours in groups of four people each, ensuring that everything proceeded in a relaxed manner. In order to minimise possible absences due to adverse reactions to vaccinations within a department, employees in the same department were deliberately given appointments on different dates.

‘The program is being run in typical Wirtgen fashion, which of course means it’s extremely well-organised – including the information communicated in advance via our intranet.’

Christoph von Büdingen, project manager at Wirtgen International GmbH

Wirtgen’s workplace vaccination program: facts and figures
Total number of first and second doses administered
600
First doses administered between
June 21 – July 11
Second doses administered between
July 19 – August 15
Vaccine administered
BioNTech
Vaccination centre set-up
Six vaccination booths, registration area, waiting area, rest area
Company physician in charge
Dr Lenz

‘The vaccine is both safe and necessary’

An interview with a vaccine recipient

Christoph von Büdingen, project manager at Wirtgen International GmbH, received his first dose on 25 June. We accompanied the 43-year-old on his way through our vaccination centre and conducted a short interview with him.


What do you think of Wirtgen’s workplace vaccination programme?

I think it’s great and I signed up immediately as soon as I had the chance. It’s truly fantastic what the company is doing for us, for the employees. And everyone is also helping internally to ensure that everyone else knows that the vaccine is both safe and necessary, so that we can get out of the pandemic as quickly as possible.


Did you try to get a vaccination appointment somewhere else before?

Yes, but to no avail. Which makes me that much happier that I could get vaccinated here at Wirtgen.


Did the jab hurt?

No, I didn’t feel it at all.


Are you relieved?

Absolutely. But that was just the first step. I’m getting my second dose in six weeks, then have to wait two more weeks after that and then I’ll be done and fully vaccinated!


Are you happy with the way Wirtgen is running the programme?

Absolutely. It’s being run in typical Wirtgen fashion, which of course means extremely well-organised. The way information was communicated beforehand was also top notch. I got a phone call on Monday saying that I had the appointment today.


Have any plans for after you’re fully vaccinated?

Not really – we’re going to book our holiday at the last minute. But we’re definitely going to choose a destination where we’re really safe, away from any tourist hotspots.


And what about the rules put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus? Keeping your distance, regularly washing your hands, wearing a mask, etc. Do think it’s important to follow them even after receiving your second dose of the vaccine?

Absolutely. We’ve all learnt that these rules are the easiest way to combat COVID-19 – and other diseases as well. I think it will be a while before everything really gets back to normal.

Successful vaccination programs were also carried out at our other Wirtgen Group locations

Wirtgen India

At our Indian factory in Pune, Maharashtra, our employees and their families were able to get vaccinated. We are delighted that the vaccination campaign was so well received and that we were able to make an important contribution to combating the pandemic here in India.

It’s important to help wherever possible!

Kleemann makes warehouse available to the district of Göppingen

Kleemann provided straightforward assistance to the district of Göppingen by making a warehouse available for use as a vaccination centre. By the end of June 2021, a total of six vaccination lines were able to carry out approximately 165,000 vaccinations here. As a result, by this date a total of34.7%of the population was fully vaccinated;50.4%had received their first dose.

Workplace vaccination programme at Joseph Vögele AG

A vaccination centre was also set up at the Vögele factory in Ludwigshafen. We are delighted by the response and positive feedback from our employees. This was an important step towards a return to a more normal life!

A successful vaccination campaign at Benninghoven

Elise Becker, who is completing a vocational training program as a construction mechanic, gladly accepted the opportunity to receive the vaccine at Benninghoven – as did many of her colleagues – and is now fully vaccinated.

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Many thanks to all those who supported and helped carry out our vaccination programs!