The new vaccines against the Omicron variant XBB.1.5 of the coronavirus can now be administered in doctors’ practices. The advice from the National Vaccination Committee (NIG) is aimed at all people aged twelve years and older, in particular people aged 60 and older and risk groups such as pregnant women and the chronically ill and healthcare workers. The website gemmaboostern.at shows where appointments can be made and links to the offers in the respective state.
1.9 million doses of Biontech/Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine adapted to XBB.1.5 were ordered. These can already be requested by doctors and vaccinated during ordinations. The soon-expected approval of Novavax’s modified protein vaccine will be followed by one million doses from this manufacturer. These also work against newer Omicron offshoots such as “Eris” and “Pirola”.
Over the course of the pandemic, there is a greater than 95 percent chance that people aged five years and older have already been exposed to the virus through vaccination and/or infection. Therefore, people of this age and older only need one vaccination, even for a first vaccination, instead of the previous three. Healthy people should maintain an interval of at least six months from their last exposure to the virus (infection or vaccination). Certain people can be vaccinated as early as four months (see video above).
“Certain infection rates”
“When monitoring wastewater you see a slight increase in circulating viruses,” says Maria Paulke-Korinek of the Vaccination Department of the Ministry of Health. There is a “certain level of contamination”. Corona is no longer a reported disease, but: “The coronavirus is here to stay.”
“There is vaccination fatigue”
“Gemma boost! Reduce the risk of a serious course!”, ÖVIH president Renée Gallo-Daniel quoted the slogan of the campaign, which was initiated by her interest group. “There is a certain degree of vaccination fatigue and we are also seeing the number of Covid cases increasing again.” The information campaign should encourage vaccination.
“Vaccination is like an airbag in a car”
In response to questions from people who doubt the effectiveness of the vaccination, GP Naghme Kamaleyan-Schmied emphasizes that it does not say that the vaccination protects against infections, but “the point is that it protects against serious diseases.” She also explained this to one of her patients, who aptly said: “The vaccination is actually like an airbag in the car.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
