Regardless of whether it is whooping cough, measles or flu: many diseases spread through immunization gaps in Austria.
The sober balance in a press conference by the Austrian Association of Vaccination Manufacturers (Övih) On Tuesday: Austria lags behind many indications – even the diphtheria has returned. And even in the early summer Honenso -Encephalitis (TBE), in which Austria was always top, vaccination rates fall.
Vaccinations would make a valuable contribution to public health, said Övih President Renée Gallo-Daniel. According to Studies, every euro that would be invested in health care would generate a profit of 14 euros for health and social economy. A current report has also shown that the vaccination of adults of society and the economy can bring the original investment to 19 times. “We must therefore regard vaccinations as an investment and not as costs,” said Övih -generally secretary Olivier Jankowitsch. Because the resulting diseases taxpayers cost in addition to a healthy lifespan, but also a lot of money. A paradigm shift is used, away from treating diseases to prevention.
Shame cases like in the sixties
Last year the cases of whooping cough rose enormously. According to the age of the age for infectious diseases, 15,465 cases of whooping cough were registered in 2024, which is a significant increase of 450 percent compared to 2791 diseases 2023. For the first time, a similar number of infections were achieved in the 1960s. The reason: “With a vaccination percentage of 84 percent, Austria has the lowest vaccination percentage in Europe,” said Jankowitsch. In March 2024, a newborn who even died whoy who was whoy.
The measles are also increasing, Jankowitsch explains with a view to figures from the previous year. 527 cases were reported, 120 people had to be admitted, which is 22.8 percent.
Low vaccination rates despite public vaccination programs
Even public vaccination programs cannot really increase the vaccination rates. The willingness to be vaccinated against the flu has always been a problem. “It was also not famous this winter. Only 15.16 percent of the population could be vaccinated against the virus,” said Jankowitsch. In the Corona year, the rate was still more than 20 percent. The EU and who, on the other hand, demand a vaccination percentage of 75 percent in risk groups. Austria is far from that.
In the Human Papilloma virus (HPV) the vaccination costs are also paid for – currently up to the age of 30 – of the public sector. Vaccination in childhood is the most effective, but there are still large holes, especially in boys. Even half of them are already at the age of 14 on which 90 percent have been vaccinated.
Even with TBE, where the vaccination speed was very high for a long time, there is now room for improvement. According to a market research conducted by IPSOS, 74 percent of the respondents received the first three vaccine doses in 2019 and 2020. In 2023/2024 this rate was only around 60 percent. Especially with children (one to 15 years) the final rate for the first three doses in 2023/2024 fell to 45 percent.
2025 as an important year
“2025 is an important year when it comes to vaccination,” Gallo-Daniel is certain. “The climate crisis becomes intensifying and in Austria in Austria. This always leads to the occurrence of new infectious diseases, while the geopolitical situation is confusing. At the same time, science skepticism always takes new proportions. We therefore urgently need solutions.”
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.
