Sting against Corona – 54% of vaccinees want a refresher course

Nine percent of vaccinated Austrians are still unsure whether they want to be vaccinated again. 21 percent want “probably not” to be refreshed. This is the conclusion of a study commissioned by the Association of Vaccine Manufacturers (ÖVIH). Its chairman Renée Gallo-Daniel therefore considers “a broad awareness campaign” useful for the autumn.

Almost a quarter of those who have been vaccinated, but definitely or would rather not take a booster vaccination, think it is no longer necessary (corona is over or no longer dangerous) or refer to what they consider to be side effects and vaccination reactions. “There has never been such a large vaccine demand worldwide as with the Covid vaccines,” which is also “very well documented,” Gallo-Daniel countered.

Two percent of the 1,000 people aged 16 to 75 surveyed by market research institute Integral say they have been vaccinated once, twelve percent twice, 41 percent three times and 29 percent four times. According to the study, 84 percent of this age group has been vaccinated at least once.

68 percent of all those surveyed online in January and February agreed ‘strongly’ or ‘rather’ with the statement that the corona vaccination protects against serious disease progression, which is also shown by scientific studies. 64 percent find them ‘very’ or ‘quite’ important and 59 percent think they are definitely.

“More positive than expected”
ÖVIH chairman Gallo-Daniel found a more positive attitude towards vaccinations in general and also towards Covid vaccinations “than we thought”. In addition to the survey on the corona vaccines, the general assessment of vaccinations was also questioned. Here were higher values: eight in ten find vaccinations “important” and “effective” and seven in ten “safe”, and only five percent to “not important at all”.

“From our point of view, this is a really good result,” said Gallo-Daniel in an interview with APA on the occasion of European Vaccination Week (23 to 29 April 2023). But, “That doesn’t mean they’re going (for vaccinations, note),” the industry representative stressed. Overall, 38 percent want to feel “definitely not” or “probably not” refreshed against Covid-19.

ÖVIH boss: “Will be an issue again in the autumn”
“I think this will become a bigger problem again by the fall,” Gallo-Daniel said. “It is therefore important that we are prepared for the fall. That calls for specific vaccination advice, low-threshold access to vaccination and education.” The health authority ECDC also recently advised EU countries to carry out Covid vaccination campaigns before next fall, especially for the elderly and other risk groups.

So far, the National Immunization Commission (NIG) has generally only recommended the first booster (“fourth stitch”) from the age of twelve after the three-part basic immunization, preferably with the specially approved vaccines targeting the omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 target.

Gallo-Daniel explained that after the expected adjustment by the NIG for the fall, an education campaign would be needed about exactly who needs to be refreshed and where to do the vaccination. Doctors would also wait for the official NIG recommendation.

In addition to the sample of the entire population, the integral survey also asked 102 general practitioners about vaccinations and Covid vaccines in general. As expected, approval was higher here. 98 percent of doctors believe vaccines are generally effective, 94 percent important, and 89 percent safe (strongly agree and somewhat agree).