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COVID-19 VACCINES

Several Austrian states open Covid vaccinations without appointments

After successful campaigns in Vienna and Tyrol, several other Austrian states are bringing in vaccinations without appointments.

Several Austrian states open Covid vaccinations without appointments
Covid-19 vaccinations are now available without an appointment in several Austrian states. Photo: JOE KLAMAR / AFP

In early July, the Austrian states of Vienna and Tyrol implemented a no-appointment vaccination scheme. 

With take up high, several other Austrian states have decided to follow suit. 

Here’s how you can get a vaccination without an appointment in your Austrian state. 

Vienna

On Monday, July 5th, Vienna introduced vaccinations without appointments at the Austria Centre. The program runs until July 11th and uses the AstraZeneca vaccine. 

Only people over 18 may attend. 

Vaccinations without appointments are also available at Vienna’s Rathausplatz from 5pm to 10pm each evening. The program started on July 3rd and will run until September 4th. 

For everyone over 18, the Johnson& Johnson vaccine is administered. For those under 18, the Biontech/Pfizer jab is on offer – with the second to take place at the Austria Centre in Vienna. 

Tyrol

On July 4th, Tyrol hosted “Vaccination Sunday”, where inoculations took place without appointments in every one of the state’s vaccination centres. 

Austria’s Kurier newspaper reported the day was a success, with 13,000 of the 16,000 available doses administered. 

The event is set to be repeated this coming weekend (July 10th and 11th), while authorities have said they hope to continue it for the foreseeable future, broadcaster ORF reports.

The government said that plans were being made for this. In the meantime, the locations of the vaccination centres are being evaluated, some are to be merged or only opened when necessary.

Styria 

Styria is set to launch several no appointment “vaccination days” in shopping centres across the state. From mid August, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be available without an appointment at Murpark, the Citypark in Graz and the LCS in Leoben shopping centres. 

From July 17th, there will be spots available at vaccination centres in Graz, Bruck / Mur, Premstätten and Gleisdorf with the AstraZeneca vaccine. 

Upper Austria

From July 7th, a no appointment vaccination scheme will be set up at the Passage Centre in Linz. The opening times are Wednesday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is administered. 

Residents of Neumarkt im Mühlkreis will also be able to get the Johnson and Johnson vaccine at two taverns in Dingdorf and Trosseldorf from July 7th, and from Friday July 9th at Schinko GmbH. 

People wanting a vaccine must bring their ID, their vaccination card and their e-card. 

Salzburg

Salzburg will set up a no appointment vaccination scheme, most likely in the Kongresszentrum in the city centre from July 12th, Kurier reports. 

The specifics of the centre, including where it will be, how many vaccinations it will carry out and its opening hours are to be determined in the coming days. 

The vaccine from Johnson and Johnson is set to be used.

Vorarlberg

On Saturday, July 3rd, Vorarlberg released 500 no appointment vaccination spots which took place on the same day. 

Demand exceeded supply, with 750 people signing up. Vorarlberg is now considering whether to do the same or similar for the rest of July, after which vaccinations are set to take place in GP offices rather than vaccination centres. 

Lower Austria

According to Austria’s Kurier newspaper, officials in Lower Austria view the developments positively and are looking at rolling out a no appointment scheme with a low threshold of offers to gauge public interest in the idea. 

As yet however specifics of the plan have not been released. 

Burgenland and Carinthia

Burgenland has indicated it will not offer vaccinations without appointments, while Carinthia has also ruled out a similar scheme at present. 

Gerd Kurath, a spokesperson for the state, told Kurier “We are constantly evaluating our vaccination concept. A vaccination campaign without registration is currently not ready to go in Carinthia.”

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COVID-19 VACCINES

What to know about Austria’s new advice on Covid vaccines

As the coronavirus pandemic progressed, each country developed its own vaccination recommendation, which often changed. Here is the new advice from the Austrian vaccination panel.

What to know about Austria's new advice on Covid vaccines

The Austrian National Vaccination Panel has updated its recommendations on Covid vaccination on several points, the Ministry of Health announced.

“Special attention continues to be paid to the completion of the basic immunisation, which is recommended for all persons five years of age and older, and to the booster vaccination,” according to the Ministry of Health.

The booster shot is generally available to all persons 12 years of age and older and is free of charge, but it is especially recommended for persons 60 years of age and older and those at risk.

READ ALSO: Masks against Covid and flu: What’s ahead for Austria this winter

In Austria, the basic immunisation against Covid-19 consists of three vaccine doses. A fourth dose, also known as a booster shot, is also recommended.

What is new in the recommendation?

Austria is adding a new coronavirus vaccine, from Sanofi (VidPrevtyn Beta), to the list of offers against the virus. The new vaccine is protein-based and has already been approved by the European authorities. 

In Austria, the Sanofi vaccine can be used from the third vaccination onwards on people older than 18. The offer will be available at the vaccination sites in the coming week at the earliest, according to the Ministry. 

READ ALSO: Colds and flu: What to do and say if you get sick in Austria

Another change is that the variant Comirnaty Original/Omicron BA.4-5 from BioNTech/Pfizer will also be used for the third vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 years. 

This vaccine is specially adapted to the virus variants Omicron BA.4 and 5. It is now available for children in a special application shot that should be in vaccination sites starting next week at the earliest. 

READ ALSO: What to expect from the ski season in Austria this winter

Also included in the recommendations is a clarification specifically on an additional booster vaccination (fifth vaccination). 

People at risk from the age of 18, and those from the age of 60 can receive the additional booster vaccination four months after the fourth vaccination. According to the vaccination panel, no fifth vaccination is necessary for healthy people under 60.

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