A Lower Saxon Woman Fights for Recognition After Corona Vaccination - From Active Life to Debilitating Fatigue: One Woman's Post-Vaccine Battle

Elisabeth Schneider's life changed dramatically after her COVID-19 vaccination in 2021. Once active, she now struggles with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), a debilitating condition that leaves her exhausted for days after even minor activity. Her fight for recognition has highlighted gaps in support for thousands facing similar fatigue battles across Germany.

Before 2021, Schneider led a normal life. But after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, she developed severe fatigue and other symptoms. Doctors later diagnosed her with ME/CFS, a complex neuroimmunological disease that disrupts daily functioning. Simple tasks now require days of recovery, drastically altering her routine.

Her application for vaccine injury recognition was rejected—a common outcome, as only about one in ten such claims succeeds. Despite this setback, she continues to push for better care and official acknowledgement of her fatigue. Politically, she has campaigned for improved treatment and research funding for ME/CFS patients.

Germany's ME/CFS cases have surged since the pandemic. Pre-COVID estimates suggested around 300,000 sufferers, but 2023 data indicates over 620,000—possibly as high as 650,000—with roughly 320,000 new cases linked to Long COVID. The rise has prompted action: Lower Saxony recently opened two specialist clinics for Long COVID, ME/CFS, and post-vaccination syndrome patients.

Schneider stresses that vaccinations remain crucial but calls for stricter monitoring of side effects and clearer risk assessments. Her case gained further weight in late 2025, when Austria's Federal Administrative Court ruled that chronic fatigue syndrome could result from COVID-19 vaccines.

Schneider's struggle reflects a broader challenge for ME/CFS patients seeking validation and support. With hundreds of thousands now affected in Germany, her advocacy underscores the need for better medical recognition and tailored care. The establishment of new clinics signals progress, but many still face long waits for diagnosis and treatment.