On Wednesday, experts called for a free vaccination program for adults. The recommended vaccinations for the elderly against pneumococcal, RSV and shingles should be paid for privately and would cost a total of around 1,000 euros, they reasoned.
“The vaccination program for children is excellent,” says Rudolf Schmitzberger of the vaccination department of the Austrian Medical Association. Now it is necessary for adults to join forces. “I think that would be a significant improvement.” Vaccinations against pneumococcal, RSV and shingles are ‘very effective’, but also ‘very expensive’.
Reach healthy, young populations
Vaccine skepticism requires new ways of communication, says vaccinologist and immunologist Ursula Wiedermann-Schmidt from MedUni Vienna. For example, artificial intelligence (AI) could be used for this. At the same time, it is particularly important to reach the healthy, younger population who do not want to talk to the doctor themselves. Chatbots can be an option in these cases.
Gerhard Kobinger of the Presidium of the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists appealed to the personal responsibility of the population. You should do your own research and look at the vaccination certificate. Previous vaccinations can be added to the e-vaccination certificate in pharmacies.
No double infections of flu/Covid-19
With Covid-19, the population has built up good immune protection through infections or vaccinations, according to Wiedermann-Schmidt. However, the breadth of the immune response is different. She advises all adults whose infection or contact with the virus occurred at least twelve months ago to be vaccinated with the modified Omicron vaccine. In addition to vaccination, she recommended increased hygiene measures and the wearing of masks.
When it comes to the flu, the immunologist assumes that the season “will follow the course that we have been used to in the past.” In 2022/2023, MedUni Vienna recorded the highest number of infections since cases were monitored. There are currently only individual cases and fortunately no double infections with Covid-19. Most flu cases are likely to occur between January and March. The fact that this vaccine has to be paid for privately in pharmacies is an ‘unsatisfactory situation’.
Source: Krone
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