Free vaccinations in Austria: Planned reform is missing!

Free vaccinations in Austria: Planned reform is missing!

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - The pressure on the Ministry of Health in Austria is growing in view of the ongoing demands for free vaccinations. Dr. Peter Kostelka, President of the Pensioners Association of Austria (PVÖ), recalls that an important promise from the Ministry of Health remains open until the end of 2024: the revision and expansion of the vaccination. Despite an announcement in June 2024, which said that 90 million euros are made available annually for vaccinations, the national vaccination plan is not available. "So far nothing has changed," Kostelka clarifies and urgently demands measures.

cost efficiency and access for all

The PVÖ's claim supports that all vaccinations recommended in the Austrian vaccination plan, with the exception of travel vaccinations, should be free. Kostelka emphasizes the positive effects that a full assumption of costs on the health system would have: "This would reduce the number of illnesses and both acute and long -term damage and relieve the resources of health facilities." In particular, the high financial burden on herpes zoster vaccination, which costs between 200 and 268 euros per partial vaccination, is criticized. This situation leaves many people without a chance and creates a "2-class society in vaccination protection", which is not acceptable in a welfare state like Austria. Kostelka emphasizes that 50 percent of cases occur in people over 50 years and that vaccination is therefore particularly important.

In an extensive report by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the importance of vaccinations to combat infectious diseases is emphasized. The constant vaccination commissions recommend various vaccinations in their updated guidelines, which are also important for the older population. These recommendations should be integrated into the current vaccination plan for Austria in order to ensure a broader and fairer accessibility, as can be seen in the RKI vaccination report. The pressure on health authorities is increasing to implement these important measures promptly.