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Experts in Austria urge early Covid vaccination as new variant spreads

A more contagious variant of the coronavirus has been spreading across Austria since June, leading to a steady increase in infection rates even before the new school year begins.

Published: 30 August 2024 10:10 CEST
Experts in Austria urge early Covid vaccination as new variant spreads
Covid is back; get tested if you have symptoms. Image by Alexandra_Koch from Pixabay

The rising incidence of Covid cases has prompted health experts to recommend that vaccinations be administered earlier than previously advised. 

In addition, a newly adapted protein-based vaccine may become available this autumn, offering further protection against the virus.

Experts urge vaccination ahead of new school year and autumn

According to virologist Judith Aberle from the Medical University of Vienna, the national Sentinel system, which monitors respiratory viruses, has shown a marked increase in viral activity throughout Austria in recent weeks. 

In an interview with ORF Wissen, Aberle noted that most of these cases are linked to the SARS coronavirus, which has been circulating more frequently since June. In regions such as Upper Austria and Lower Austria, one in four samples tested has returned positive for SARS-CoV-2, a trend corroborated by wastewater monitoring data.

The variant currently dominating the European infection landscape, including Austria, is KP.3, a member of the Omicron family. This variant produces symptoms similar to its predecessors, such as cold-like symptoms, sore throat, headaches, fatigue, cough, and fever. 

READ ALSO: Covid in Austria – Should you get vaccinated this year?

However, Aberle warns that KP.3 is far from benign, as it can lead to severe complications, particularly in high-risk individuals, affecting the lungs, heart, blood vessels, and nervous system.

“And the infection can lead to chronic long-term consequences in the form of long Covid”, she added while at the same time recommending people get vaccinated.

Maria Paulke-Korinek, head of the vaccination department at the Ministry of Health, echoed these concerns, stressing the heightened risk of infection as schools reopen and people spend more time indoors. 

Speaking on the Ö1-Morgenjournal, Paulke-Korinek advised at-risk individuals to get vaccinated “within the next few weeks”. While otherwise, healthy individuals might delay their vaccination slightly, she recommended that the interval between the last infection or vaccination and the next dose be around twelve months, with a minimum of four months for those who got seriously ill.

What are the vaccine recommendations?

Vaccination is recommended for everyone aged 12 and above, with younger children eligible upon parental request. 

Paulke-Korinek emphasised that the vaccine is approved for children as young as six months, and European authorities have confirmed its safety and effectiveness. Since the end of July, a newly adapted mRNA vaccine, effective against the KP.3 variant, has been available in Austria. 

READ ALSO: Are vaccinations compulsory for children in Austria?

Additionally, an adapted protein vaccine, which includes a synthetically produced protein component from the SARS coronavirus spike protein, is expected to be available in the autumn, pending approval by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). 

Paulke-Korinek noted that both vaccines show comparable effectiveness but suggested that alternating between the two might offer immunological benefits.

As the new school year begins in eastern Austria next week, Aberle from MedUni Vienna stressed the importance of closely monitoring infection rates to track the virus’s development. 

She also urged good ventilation or air filtration in indoor spaces, particularly in schools and nurseries, and recommended wearing masks and staying home if symptomatic to help curb the spread of the virus.

READ NEXT: Who should get vaccinated against mpox in Austria?

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HEALTH

Is it worth it to get a private health insurance in Austria?

Private healthcare insurance gives you quicker appointments and more time with doctors, but it comes with a price. Here is what you need to know to find out if it is worth it for you.

Published: 16 September 2024 14:35 CEST
Is it worth it to get a private health insurance in Austria?

Austria is known for having a well-functioning public healthcare system, but recently, the number of public doctors has been decreasing while the number of private ones continues to grow.

Public doctors are often associated with long waiting times and less time spent with each patient.

Going to a private practitioner could be a solution for receiving better care, as it allows more time with the specialist and usually an earlier appointment.

However, if you are only insured with public insurance, visiting a private doctor comes with higher costs. If you have the option, private insurance might sometimes be a better alternative.

Here is what you need to know about private health insurance.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: What happens if you’re off sick for a long time in Austria

Doctor taking care of injured patient. Photo by Tom Claes on Unsplash

What are the benefits?

If you are considering private health insurance, it is important to consider your individual case, what you need, whether it is worth it, and what kind of insurance might be suitable for you.

Getting private health insurance can be a good idea if you frequently need medical care or just want faster appointments and more time with the doctors.

While you can still see private doctors, such as the so-called Wahlarzt in German, and access private healthcare options with public insurance by paying out of pocket, you will only receive partial reimbursement.

Therefore, getting private insurance might be beneficial if you need to see a healthcare provider more frequently.

With private insurance, you typically pay a fixed monthly rate, which covers a wide range of private healthcare options. These include visits to private doctors, certain dental procedures, eye care, wellness services, and physiotherapy, among other things.

If you have private insurance, you also have access to a broader selection of healthcare providers and facilities. You often receive more comfortable hospital stays, medication coverage, and sometimes international healthcare coverage.

Exactly how much private insurance covers depends on the type of insurance company and package you choose.

Some insurance companies cover specific costs completely, while others cover them only to a higher percentage. However, private insurance generally covers a much higher percentage of most costs than public insurance.

READ MORE: Everything foreigners need to know about the Austrian healthcare system

How much does it cost?

The monthly cost for private healthcare insurance averages around €30 for children and between €45 and €100 for adults.

You can often save on the costs by choosing regional rates, family coverage, or agreeing to a deductible, where you pay part of the costs yourself.

If a larger company employs you, they might offer private group insurance, which often results in lower costs because the employer contributes to the premiums.

When you apply for private insurance, the insurance company usually examines your health and medical history. The cost is then decided based on age, health status, and healthcare needs.

Signing up for private healthcare insurance at an early age can be a good idea since it often means lower costs. Existing health insurance contracts are adjusted annually for inflation only, without further adjustments.

UNIQA, Wiener Städtische, Generali Health Insurance, Mercury, Allianz Health Insurance, and the Danube are among Vienna’s largest and best-known private healthcare insurance providers.

READ NEXT: EXPLAINED: What is a Wahlartzt in Austria?

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