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How can I get a Covid or flu vaccine in Austria this autumn?

The Austrian Association of Doctors (ÖÄK) says it’s prepared for this year’s vaccination season. So who can get what vaccine and where?

Published: 3 October 2023 11:32 CEST
Updated: 16 October 2023 14:03 CEST

How can I get a Covid or flu vaccine in Austria this autumn?

Austrian physicians say they're ready for the Covid-19, RSV and flu vaccine season. (Photo by ALEX HALADA / AFP)

Despite some complaints of a shortage of October appointments, particularly in Vienna, the association is encouraging at risk people to book in their appointments to get vaccinated for Covid-19, RSV, the flu, and pneumonia.

“We’re ready and there’s no gap in what we can offer,” says ÖÄK President Edgar Wutscher, although he did note that fewer people in Austria are prepared and willing to get vaccinated than they typically might like to see.

Wutscher encourages anyone who is at-risk, or who simply might like to get a vaccine as a precaution, to call their general practitioner as soon as possible to book an appointment. Wutscher notes that many practices are ordering vaccines in smaller quantities on a rolling basis, according to the number of appointments they have, to prevent waste. Because it might take a few days for an order to be shipped out, he recommends calling your doctor as soon as possible to get a timely vaccine.

Can I get vaccinated at a pharmacy?

Despite some previous suggestions from the Health Minister, vaccination is not currently available in pharmacies or in the large vaccination centres Austria saw during the pandemic. As such, the main place in Austria to get your vaccines remains your doctor’s office.

What can I get?

Austria recently updated its vaccination guidelines to recommend only one jab for Covid-19, as well as booster jabs, rather than the three that had been required for full immunisation recently. Recently delivered vaccines are also up to date to cover new Covid variants.

RSV vaccines are also available in Austria for the first time this season, in addition to pneumonia, flu, and meningitis vaccines.

People over the age of 60 and people at higher risk, including pregnant women, are particularly recommended to get doses.

READ ALSO: What are Austria’s new Covid-19 and RSV vaccine recommendations?

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How can I get an appointment with a physiotherapist in Austria?

Physiotherapy can be the key to improving mobility, managing pain, recovering from injuries, and optimising overall physical function. Many people will need such services at some point in their lives.

If you need a physiotherapist in Austria, you can choose between going to one who is contracted with your insurance company (Therapeut mit Kassenvertrag) or to a so-called elective therapist (Wahltherapeut). For both options, you will need a referral from a general practitioner, such as your family doctor (Hausarzt), if you want to access the service for free (with your e-card) or get a reimbursement for your treatment.

Physiotherapy through your health insurance company

If you want to go to a physiotherapist without having to pay for it, you can try to find a suitable physiotherapist who is contracted with your insurance company.

Physiotherapy is free of charge if your therapist is contracted with large public insurance companies such as the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), Insurance Institution for Public Employees, Railways and Mines (BVAEB) or Social Insurance Institution for the Self-Employed (SVS).

These insurance companies settle directly with their contracted therapists and you do not need to pay anything out of pocket. However, accessing this kind of free treatment can sometimes be hard, as those with the most urgent needs are prioritised, which can result in long waiting times for appointments.

Here you can find a list of physiotherapists who work privately but still have a contract with ÖGK, sorted by regions within Austria.

Physiotherapist of your choice

If you want to go to a therapist that is not contracted with your insurance company, you initially have to pay for the treatment yourself.

Once your treatment is completed and the treatment costs have been paid in full, you can apply to your health insurance company for reimbursement by submitting your confirmation of payment. Here you can find information on which other documents you may need to submit.

However, you will not be reimbursed the full amount. For example, with ÖGK, you usually receive about 80% of what contracted physiotherapists would get from ÖGK. If you are insured with SVS and BVAEB, the percentage is similar.

If you have another type of insurance, such as a private one, it is a good idea to check with them what their specific insurance covers.

Going to a physiotherapist can improve your quality of life. Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Where do I find a suitable therapist?

There are plenty of ways to find the right physiotherapist that fits your needs. Sometimes your family doctor may have a recommendation, or perhaps a friend can suggest one. If you prefer to explore on your own and consider more options, you can search for a therapist online.

Websites such as physioaustria offer useful search functions where you can find therapists based on specific criteria, such as specialisation or insurance contracts. You might also find physiotherapie.at helpful for your search.

READ MORE: Everything foreigners need to know about the Austrian healthcare system

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