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Health Minister Rudi Anschober (Greens) let some satisfaction slip by on Tuesday: When he spoke of a possible start of corona vaccination in Austria in January in the summer, many smiled at him as too optimistic, he recalled. Next, present the details of Austria’s vaccination strategy. Expected start date: January.
However, with two important restrictions: on the one hand, at least one vaccine that Austria has access to must be approved by then. But the chances are good. The vaccines from Pfizer / Biontech, AstraZeneca and Moderna are already in the approval process in Europe, and after the first one, Moderna is also one of the contractual partners of the EU since yesterday. Austria has secured around 16 million doses of vaccines by 2021 (200 million euros are available for this); two vaccines are required in a month for one immunization. However, and this is the second restriction: in the best case, around a million doses of vaccine will be available at the beginning of the year. According to the Ministry of Health, Pfizer’s new RNA vaccine should be the first to receive approval. Its disadvantage: it must be stored at minus 80 degrees.
Not only for that, starting in January residents of nursing homes and senior citizens over 65, employees there, as well as all people from health professions and high-risk groups will be vaccinated, according to Covid Special Representative Clemens Martin Auer. Centralized vaccine distribution is easier here and cooling is not a logistical problem. Protecting the particularly vulnerable group is also a reason to prioritize distribution, he said. Vaccination takes place in vaccination centers or on site.
With phase two, vector vaccines that are easier to store, like AstraZeneca’s, and significantly more doses (up to three million) should also be available starting in February. Until April, however, people over 65 have priority, as well as personnel from the security, justice and education sectors and for the maintenance of public life. So the vaccine should also be able to be given to doctors.
Vaccination coverage 50 percent
Starting in April, Anschober hopes to make the vaccine available to “anyone who wants to get vaccinated.” The goal is for every second Austrian to be vaccinated. Anschober does not want to deviate from the principle of voluntariness, even in critical professions, such as doctors or teachers. However, other protection requirements (FFP2 mask requirement) may apply to those who refuse to be vaccinated. One thing is for sure: the corona vaccination is free for everyone.
Article of
Citizen Jasmine
National Policy Editor
