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Starting in November, vaccinations against shingles (herpes zoster) and pneumococcus will be free for people aged 60 and older, as well as for younger risk groups.
The current free vaccination program for adults, which includes vaccinations against influenza, COVID-19, and HPV, will be expanded as announced, according to Health Minister Korinna Schumann (SPÖ) at a press conference on Friday afternoon. The vaccines against shingles and pneumococcus will be available directly from doctors.
Free vaccinations against shingles and pneumococci are medically sensible and economically efficient.
The vaccination against shingles protects against the reactivation of chickenpox, Schumann explained. It prevents chronic pain and reduces sick days, thereby relieving the burden on the healthcare system. The pneumococcal vaccination is about preventing bacterial pneumonia, which has a high mortality rate in severe cases. “So vaccinations are medically sensible and economically efficient, and every euro we invest here saves high follow-up costs,” said Schumann.
ÖGK chairman Andreas Huss pointed out that €450 million is available for vaccinations over the five years of the current fiscal equalization program. This means that immunizations will be provided free of charge until the end of 2028. Huss also emphasized that vaccinations would save “significantly more” in healthcare costs than they cost.
175,000 people expected to be vaccinated in the first few years
When asked about the expected vaccination rates, he said that the introduction in Germany had been observed. We expect 175,000 people to be vaccinated in the first year, both for the herpes zoster vaccination and the pneumococcal vaccination, “in the second year again in this order of magnitude, and then it will probably decline,” explained the ÖGK chairman. The vaccinations must be entered in the e-vaccination passport by a doctor.
The herpes zoster vaccination is “very expensive” at a total of around 500 euros for two doses, Huss reported. The pneumococcal vaccination costs between 80 and 100 euros. “We provide these free of charge.” According to Huss, there are “limiting factors,” such as money, when it comes to further expanding the free vaccination program, for example, in line with the approval for herpes zoster from the age of 50. The recommendations of the National Vaccination Committee (NIG) were used for shingles and pneumococci. The aim is to offer all vaccinations recommended by the NIG free of charge in the future.
Catching up on prevention
The current expansion of the free vaccination program “is truly a milestone,” said Styrian Health Minister Karlheinz Kornhäusl (ÖVP), as the third party to the agreement between the federal government, the states, and social security. Austria is in a good position when it comes to treating diseases, according to the chairman of the State Health Councils at the press conference. However, there is still some catching up to do in terms of “prevention and precaution.” Vaccinations not only prevent deaths but also “an incredible amount of human suffering, pain, and protracted illness,” which he himself has witnessed as a doctor.
The Pensioners’ Association (PVÖ) and the Seniors’ Association welcomed the free vaccinations against shingles and pneumococci for all people over the age of 60 in press releases. The Vienna Medical Association also welcomed the change, which will take effect in November. However, its vice president, Naghme Kamaleyan-Schmied, emphasized that this should “not distract from the fact that many important vaccinations are still missing from the public vaccination program.” In addition to the quadruple pertussis/diphtheria/tetanus/polio vaccination for all adults, these include the RSV vaccination for pregnant women, the elderly, and high-risk patients.
- source: APA/picture: pixabay.com
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