Category: Feature Stories

Corona vaccinated individuals are well protected from severe disease in the event of a breakthrough infection, but they are also less contagious than unvaccinated individuals. Unlike the delta variant, however, the omicron variant requires three doses of vaccine to effectively reduce the number of infectious virus particles. This was reported by Swiss researchers led by Isabella Eckerle and Benjamin Meyer of the University of Geneva in the journal Nature Medicine. The study refers to the omicron subvariant BA.1, not the BA.2 subvariant, which is now dominant in Austria. “Our results…

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After Christmas, Holy Week is the time with the most widespread traditions for food. Spinach on Maundy Thursday and fish on Good Friday are still found in many households – in some regions more often than in others, according to a survey commissioned by iglo. According to the study, food is essential to almost every second Austrian. In this respect, Christmas is the most traditional time in Austrian households, followed by Easter with Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. Spinach on Maundy Thursday is a mandatory meal for three out of…

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Cases of hearing loss and tinnitus found after Covid-19 vaccine injections have prompted WHO to look for a possible link. Can the Covid-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca) cause tinnitus (which can also result from Covid infection) and hearing loss? That’s what the WHO is trying to find out. One document says it is looking into and investigating reports from patients who are said to have developed these symptoms shortly after vaccination. Reports of hearing problemsThe WHO shares its concern in a recent newsletter dealing with pharmaceutical products: The Uppsala Monitoring…

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The World Health Organization (WHO) calls on countries to continue rigorously testing people for the virus after easing Corona protections. “The pandemic is certainly not over,” Kate O’Brien, director of WHO’s Department of Immunization, said Monday in Geneva. New virus variants could continue to develop, she said. Loosenings will lead to new waves of infection, O’Brien said. Still too few vaccinated She said that that is not always immediately clear because many countries now test significantly less. She called on governments to carefully relax protective measures while monitoring how death…

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Vienna – The Omicron wave continues to flatten out. On Sunday, the fewest new infections since January were reported: 10,635 – albeit with a low number of tests. In hospitals, bed occupancy is declining. Almost 3.8 million people are now considered recovered in Austria. What will happen next? Measures At present, masks are compulsory in all indoor rooms in Austria and 3G in night catering – and stricter rules in Vienna. The national regulation expires on Holy Saturday. The government is currently negotiating whether it will be extended again. The…

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US researchers have found that mouth masks can weaken corona symptoms. Mouth masks can protect ourselves and those around us from coronavirus infection. Now, a new study shows that covers offer another significant benefit. Researchers from the National Institutes of Health have gathered evidence that wearing a mask in the event of infection also helps mitigate COVID-19 symptoms. The study results were published in the Biophysical Journal. The humidity of the mask supports immune response Study authors indicated that the moisture generated inside a mask helps fight respiratory illness. Wearing…

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A new study from Israel shows that taking aspirin could reduce the risk of infection with Corona. Aspirin is a universally known painkiller, best known for its fever-reducing effects. But in addition to colds and cardiovascular disease, the drug could also be effective against Corona infection. Israeli researchers wanted to find out if aspirin could help fight COVID-19. Their study suggests that taking aspirin could reduce the corona risk. The study was published in the “FEBS Journal.” Aspirin as corona prevention? The study authors from Bar-Ilan University hypothesized that daily…

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The EU Medicines Agency (EMA) and EU health agency ECDC announced in a joint press release Wednesday that the joint Covid 19 Task Force (ETF) has decided it is too early to consider vaccinating a fourth dose of the mRNA vaccine (Pfizer’s Comirnaty and Moderna’s Spikevax) in the general population. However, he said that such a second booster could be administered in 80 years and older adults. In Austria, the National Vaccination Panel will deliberate on the need for a fourth vaccination starting today, April 8. They reached this conclusion…

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There is a current discussion about whether a fourth Corona vaccination will become necessary or proper. The “booster,“ the third Corona vaccination, started in early fall. We are slowly approaching the time when the dose will have been given 270 days ago, and the green passport will therefore lose its validity. Also, the protection against severe courses decreases sharply after several months, especially with the new Omicron variant. The necessity and possible obligation for a fourth vaccination are being discussed worldwide. The National Vaccination Committee will deal with this question…

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