Influenza vaccination: 63,400 doses available in Salzburg
Since the 2020/2021 season, the influenza vaccination has been included in the free children’s vaccination program for children from the age of six months up to their 15th birthday. There are also special vaccination campaigns for residents of Salzburg’s old people’s homes and homes for the elderly, the state announced in a broadcast on Tuesday.
Best time for flu vaccination now
The flu epidemic in Austria usually starts at the end of December at the earliest. The best time for the annual influenza vaccination is late October to mid-November, even if it makes sense before, during and after. SALZBURG24 reported on this in advance. In summer, 63,400 cans are available in Salzburg for the current season.
- Over the 94 pharmacies in the country, 25,000 at a single price of 24.80 euros are available for distribution.
- There are a good 20,000 cans for children. These are used by paediatricians in Salzburg.
- The Education Directorate offers 2,150 vaccinations for Salzburg’s teachers and staff in the school area.
- The State of Salzburg has provided a contingent of around 6,800 vaccination doses especially for people who are older than 65 years and live in old people’s and nursing homes.
- 3,500 cans are available for professional groups such as employees in the state clinics, and 600 for state employees.
- In addition, the country has ordered 5,000 more cans as a precaution.
Stöckl calls on Salzburger to stitch
Deputy governor and health officer Christian Stöckl (ÖVP) appeals to be protected against flu this year: “Other vaccinations are partially lost in view of the corona situation. That is why it is particularly important to me to point out the flu protection, ”said Stöckl.
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Multiple vaccine against influenza
According to the broadcast, it is a multiple vaccine with “particularly high effectiveness”, with which the four most important virus strains are covered. “Those who are vaccinated are very well protected against the real flu,” says the President of the Chamber of Pharmacists, Kornelia Seiwald, in favor of the vaccination.
Hospitalization can be threatened
“Severe flu can also mean hospitalization. From an economic point of view alone, vaccination makes a lot of sense, ”confirms Wolfgang Reiger, Chairman of the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) in Salzburg.
Juhasz expects a strong spread
State medical director Petra Juhasz expects a strong influenza season: “All experts are necessary, the vaccination rates die here to increase significantly,” said Juhasz. Holger Förster, the vaccination officer of the Medical Association and Children, advises all age groups to be vaccinated: “Also for children, as around a quarter of them have a fever of up to 40 degrees and because they spread the virus longer than adults. The free vaccine can be used as a syringe for children between the ages of six and two, and then as a nasal spray for up to 15 years, ”says Förster.
Annual refreshment necessary
Seasonal influenza is a contagious viral disease and protection needs to be refreshed regularly. It is transmitted from person to person through droplet infection when the virus is inhaled or by touching the mouth, nose or eyes with contaminated hands. Seasonal influenza is accompanied by a sudden high fever, cough, muscle, limb and headache and can also lead to complications such as pneumonia or myocarditis.
(Source: SALZBURG24)