Free vaccinations against pneumococcus and shingles from 2025!

Free vaccinations against pneumococcus and shingles from 2025!

On July 16, 2025, the announced Ministry of Health the introduction of free vaccinations against pneumococcus and shingles. These new vaccination offers are to be gradually made available to adults in risk groups from the end of 2025, especially for people aged 60 and over and for people with chronic illnesses. This will expand the public vaccination program in order to specifically promote the health of the population.

Vaccinations are necessary to prevent severe disease progression, which is associated with high mortality rates. Pneumococcal vaccinations help prevent bacterial pneumonia, blood poisoning and meningitis, which often affect older people. The shingles vaccination aims to prevent acute illnesses and reduce possible sequelae such as chronic nerve pain.

Sociopolitical dimension of the vaccination campaign

Health Minister Korinna Schumann emphasized the socio-political importance of this step. It is essential that health is not a privilege. The decision to introduce free vaccinations is based on clear recommendations from the National Vaccination Committee (NIG) as well as comprehensive analyzes by the Vienna University of Technology and Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG). The Ministry of Health expects that the measures to improve health care will be implemented efficiently, especially in vulnerable groups.

The expanded vaccination program is financed by funds from the health reform and is intended to contribute to reducing the burden of disease in the long term. This is particularly relevant since around 5,000 new cases of colon cancer are recorded in Austria every year, many of which could be prevented through early detection. As part of the measures, the age limit for free colon cancer screening will also be reduced from 50 to 45 years. This change will take effect from October 2025 and will include a colonoscopy and a stool test for non-visible blood every ten years.

Expansion of the vaccination campaign in Europe

This initiative is part of a larger trend to strengthen vaccination programs in Europe, as recently announced by the WHO was highlighted. The aim is to control diseases through vaccinations and improve vaccination levels in all 53 Member States by 2030. The analysis of existing vaccination programs and the implementation of new programs play a central role here.

Although vaccinations against pneumococcus and shingles have already been announced, no decisions have yet been made for free vaccinations against RSV or booster vaccinations for other diseases such as diphtheria or tetanus. Nevertheless, progress in public health is undeniable and is reflected in the increasing number of people receiving prophylactic protection through vaccinations.