Vienna simplifies access to the fourth Corona vaccination

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Vienna simplifies access to the fourth Corona vaccination. Effective immediately, all city residents twelve and older whose third vaccination was six months ago can get the booster. “These people we ask to go as soon as possible to refresh. For those who want to do it already after four months, we will make it possible in all municipal vaccination centers and will not deny anyone,” Mario Dujakovic, spokesman for City Health Councillor Peter Hacker (SPÖ), told APA.

The current Covid vaccination schedule for mRNA vaccines stipulates that it takes three vaccinations for basic immunization. Then the fourth booster vaccination is given. With the move announced today (Sunday), the city is stretching the National Immunization Panel’s (NIG) recommendations for use where possible.

These provide for vaccination when medically indicated or during epidemiological events. “Epidemiological events include, for example, the wave of infections ahead of us in the summer, contact with people with risk diseases, own risk diseases, visiting members of vulnerable groups, or when there is a high frequency of contact in everyday life, especially at work, at events or before upcoming trips abroad,” Dujakovic said. Based on the current situation, this justifies making the fourth vaccination possible even after four months.

With this step, Vienna is leading the way. In the remaining federal states, however, the recommendations of the NIG apply. Currently, a fourth vaccination is recommended for persons over 80; for persons over 65 years of age, the NIG recommends that such a booster “may” be given. The fourth vaccination is not recommended for younger persons but should also “not be withheld” if requested. As for deadlines, the NIG notes that a booster vaccination can be administered upon personal request no earlier than four months after completion of basic immunization (third vaccination) but recommends it after six months.

In addition, City Hall advised everyone to complete basic immunization quickly in a news release. “Since the greatest protective effect can only be obtained after the basic immunization has been completed, all Viennese whose second vaccination was four months ago, or longer are recommended to receive a third vaccination as soon as possible to complete the basic immunization,” it said. For children and adults five years and older, a third vaccination is offered six months after the second sting. If one is twelve years or older, the third vaccination can be given at one’s request as early as four months after the second vaccination. The fourth vaccination is provided only to persons over twelve years of age. If a corona infection occurs, the deadline for the following vaccination is postponed.