Minister of Health Johannes Rauch (Greens) calls on the population to be vaccinated against flu and corona this autumn. At the same time, he told doctors in private practice that he would only look at it for another week before taking away their vaccination authority.
All in all, Rauch seemed confident about the Corona situation during the ORF press hour on Sunday. We currently have a much better overview of the situation than a year ago. The slightly increasing numbers and approximately 200 patients currently in hospitals are “not alarming news”.
Mask requirement only if the situation becomes more dramatic
The health minister again called for booster vaccinations, especially for the elderly, and for wearing masks in large crowds.
He did not want to rule out a new mask requirement if the situation worsened dramatically or in the case of another virus variant, “but at the moment we find that recommendations are sufficient.”
“In a week”
Rauch said he partly shared criticism that vaccination options in the private sector in Austria were confusing. The medical profession had insisted that the vaccination would take place, but if that did not happen ‘within a week’, the Ministry of Health would organize it differently.
“Because I don’t check when vaccines are available, people want to get vaccinated and don’t come to a vaccination appointment.”
More doctors in the health insurance system
Rauch again called for bringing more doctors into the statutory health insurance system by making the terms and conditions for statutory health insurance companies more attractive and ensuring that elective doctors would at least meet the same conditions as statutory health insurance doctors. Regarding the shortage of medicines, Rauch believes that the ‘Austrian homework’ has been completed and that a legal framework must now be established at European level.
He criticized warnings from the pharmaceutical industry about shortages of new medicines as ‘theatrical thunder’ that also had self-interest behind it.
Refusal of ambulance charges
Rauch again rejected an ambulance fee to ease the burden on hospital outpatient clinics. To combat the shortage of personnel, it is important to improve the general conditions for healthcare personnel, invest in training and recruit qualified people from abroad, the minister said.
Rauch said he doesn’t mind individual states going it alone. He advocated a joint approach with other countries, such as Germany. “This is the opportunity we have as Austria, we are simply too small and even more of a federal state.”
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
