Because of the high number of infections, Styria is reopening its vaccination routes. Upper Austria starts an information campaign.
Graz/Linz. In view of the summer wave – 11,095 new corona infections and ten deaths were reported on Friday – the federal states of Styria and Upper Austria now want to get more people vaccinated.
Styria is reactivating its 15 vaccination routes – albeit only from August 16 and initially on three days a week. The country’s pandemic management goes one step further than the National Vaccination Committee (NIG) and recommends the fourth vaccination for “every person over the age of 45”, as the virologist Klaus Vander, medical director of the Institute for Hospital Hygiene and Microbiology, said on Friday at the presentation of the measures in Graz said.
The NIG has so far recommended the fourth stitch for the age group from 65 years (as well as vulnerable people of all ages).
“True escape artists”
The protective effect of the omicron infection is now over, according to Bernhard Haas from Med-Uni Graz. Therefore, older people and risk groups are called for booster vaccinations. However, no one should be denied a vaccination for whom it makes sense and who wants one. The viruses are more contagious than the recently highly infectious variants. “These are true escape artists. The symptoms have tended to migrate to the upper respiratory tract, plus sinus effects.” Virologist Vander also identifies a need for communication: “Apparently, the information about the fourth bite has not yet arrived sufficiently,” says Vander. “The vaccinations only protect to a limited extent against infection, but to a very high degree against illness or the intensive care unit.”
From August 16, all 15 Styrian vaccination routes will be in full operation on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays – some are already open several days a week, such as those at the Graz Trade Fair or in Hartberg. Numerous vaccination routes – such as those in Leoben or Leibnitz – were closed some time ago.
Upper Austria is also calling for vaccination (however, according to the NIG recommendation from the age of 65) and is launching a new information campaign for this purpose, which Deputy Governor Christine Haberlander (ÖVP) presented on Friday. “Especially for the age groups from 65 and vulnerable people, an upright vaccination protection is important in order to be prepared for the autumn waves and against serious infections,” says Haberlander.
Registration recommended
The recommendation also includes the lung specialist Bernd Lamprecht. The positive effect of immunization can be seen, among other things, in the “much lower load on the intensive care units”. In order to remind as many Upper Austrians as possible of the refresher course, the state is now starting a new information and advertising campaign at the beginning of the summer holidays.
The first campaign is scheduled to run until mid-August on analogue, digital and social media and will focus on general information and booster vaccinations for the elderly and those at particular risk. The second phase is mainly used for motivation and focuses on the vaccination of all target groups.
Currently, more than 15,000 people in Upper Austria have gotten their fourth dose. Due to increasing demand, registration for a vaccination appointment is recommended. (APA)
(“Die Presse”, print edition, 09.07.2022)
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