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COVID-19 VACCINES

Vienna doctor criticised for vaccinating children

A doctor in the Austrian capital of Vienna has faced criticism for vaccinating people younger than 12.

Published: 24 September 2021 16:57 CEST
Vienna doctor criticised for vaccinating children
Photo by NORBERTO DUARTE / AFP

Despite vaccinations being only recommended for people aged 12 and over in Austria, there are no prohibitions against vaccinating people of any age. 

Anyone carrying out a vaccination of a child must however carry out a careful risk-benefit analysis and inform parents about the exact risks. 

UPDATED: What are the rules for vaccinating children in Austria?

Children younger than 14 are deemed not to be able to legally consent to vaccinations, while those aged 14 and over can in most cases. 

While parents make the ultimate decision, children must also be informed of the basic procedure associated with vaccinations. 

‘A black and white issue’

Viennese general practitioner Birgit Angel told Austria’s Kronen Zeitung that she has faced criticism for the decision from anti-vaccine groups, but she had also received praise from countless parents. 

“I was confronted with insults and calls from vaccination opponents this morning,” reports the 53-year-old. 

“On the other hand, I received a lot of encouragement from families all over Austria.” 

Angel said that vaccination had become a considerably divisive issue in Austrian society.  

“When it comes to vaccination, there is no gray area, only black or white.”

Trials are continuing into vaccinating children, with some experts believing that younger people need to be vaccinated in order to help Austria reach herd immunity. 

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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.

Published: 29 November 2022 14:39 CET
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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