The German government has sharply rejected claims by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that it sidelined patient autonomy during COVID-19. German Health Minister Nina Warken said Saturday that Kennedy's statements are unfounded and incorrect. Kennedy claimed on X that Germany is prosecuting doctors and patients for mask and vaccine exemptions. He did not provide specific examples. Warken clarified that no legal obligations or sanctions were imposed on medical professionals for COVID-19 vaccinations. She added that prosecutions only occurred in cases of fraud. Former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach also criticized Kennedy, urging him to focus on U.S. health issues.
