German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Germans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 on Saturday, appearing in the final installment of more than 600 weekly video podcasts days before she leaves office.

"I urge you once again to take this tricky virus seriously," Merkel said, describing the fourth coronavirus outbreak in Germany as "very serious" and even "dramatic," with intensive care units overcrowded in some regions of the nation.

"The novel Omicron variety, in particular, appears to be more infectious than previous variants. Vaccinate yourself, whether for the first time or as a booster," she noted.

"Each vaccine is beneficial."

Merkel is poised to hand over the reins to Social Democrat Olaf Scholz following Wednesday's vote in parliament to elect the new chancellor.

In her podcast, she expressed gratitude to "those who are reasonable and understanding during this trying time" and "follow the rules to protect themselves and others."

"You constitute the overwhelming majority in our country. You exemplify the public obligation that makes our country so remarkable, without which no chancellor or government can accomplish anything."

Scholz's first act as head of government is expected to pass a law making mandatory vaccination beginning in February or March of next year.

The majority of the political spectrum has supported the formerly aggressive action.

Merkel reflected on her first video podcast in 2006, recalling that "at the time, it was extremely unusual for a head of government to address the public online in such a direct manner."

"My hope at the time, that the World Cup would be a great party even outside the stadiums, was more than realized," she added, referring to the soccer event Germany staged that year as a "summer fairy tale."

While Merkel has discussed a wide variety of topics in her podcasts during her tenure as chancellor, from digitization to antisemitism, she has spoken regularly about the pandemic in the last two years.