Health reform on the move: vaccinations should now be nationwide!

Health reform on the move: vaccinations should now be nationwide!

The Chamber of Physicians in Vienna has welcomed the announcement by Social Affairs Minister Korinna Schumann that the herpes zoster vaccination will be covered as a health insurance benefit in the future. This is a long overdue step, especially for older people, who often suffer from serious consequences of the disease. Johannes Steinhart, President of the Chamber, emphasizes: “Paying for expensive vaccinations out of your own pocket is not affordable for many.” The chamber is also calling for an expansion of the free vaccination offer so that all vaccinations recommended by the National Vaccination Committee are accessible to patients ots.at reported.

In addition, Schumann commented on a worrying trend in ZiB 2 – “vaccination fatigue” among the population. Her urgent request to viewers is: “Please get yourself and your children vaccinated!” In response, the Greens criticized the postponement of an application to allow vaccinations in pharmacies. Ralph Schallmeiner, health spokesman for the Greens, described this as contradictory, especially in view of the minister, who considers a higher vaccination rate to be important. Over 2,000 trained pharmacists could carry out vaccinations immediately, but the government is hesitant. “If the government really wants to combat vaccination fatigue, then more low-threshold offers are needed,” demands Schallmeiner today.at reported.

Despite the announcements, the discussion about promoting vaccinations and improving health care in Austria remains complex. The chamber already has modern concepts for women's and children's health in its drawer, but is waiting for concrete implementation. There is an urgent need to both secure funding in the healthcare system and actually make innovative healthcare services a reality.