The number of new infections with the corona virus shows a slight upward trend, but is comparatively low. 922 new infections were registered within 24 hours, and 127 people are being treated in the hospitals. With eleven cases, there are as few corona patients in the intensive care units as there were last time in August 2020.
In view of such numbers and the almost non-existent restrictions imposed by corona measures, corona vaccination is not an issue for many. On the other hand, various experts expect that the next CoV wave will reach Vienna in summer and not only in autumn. Due to new findings, the National Vaccination Committee is considering lowering the recommended age for the fourth stitch from the current 80 to 65 years.
“Ideally from the age of 65”
The head of infectiology at MedUni Vienna, Ursula Wiedermann-Schmidt, referred to the latest data, which would also show for Austria that the fourth stitch should not only be administered from the age of 80 in order to avoid severe courses. Ideally, you should think regarding this fourth vaccination from the age of 65: “Personally, I think it would be very sensible to do that.”
As far as the right time for it is concerned, said Wiedermann-Schmidt, one should choose the interval four to six months following the last infection or following the last vaccination. Under no circumstances should one wait until autumn, or wait at all to see what is to come.
No changes for younger people
Wiedermann-Schmidt is a member of the National Vaccination Committee. In April, the vaccination recommendation sounded different. But since then, new studies from Israel have been published that deal with mortality and severe courses. On the other hand, more and more experts are saying that the next wave of infections will not only appear in autumn but in summer.
There should be no changes – at least for the time being – for younger people: “For the younger population it is not yet clear whether a fourth vaccination will actually be necessary in autumn. (…) That will depend very much on the epidemiological events.”
Variant vaccines for boosters
New things are also happening in the development of vaccines. The first so-called variant vaccines might be available in autumn. “This is a vaccine that contains two variants, namely the alpha and beta variants of Omicron. (…) There are now variant vaccines that have now been submitted to the EMA.” In the case of a Spanish vaccine, Wiedermann-Schmidt expects approval as early as July. But that does not have to mean that the vaccine is also available at the same time.
According to the expert, it is also to be expected that these vaccines will only be approved as boosters. The National Vaccination Panel will discuss the situation in the coming weeks. There might be a new recommendation for the fourth stitch before the summer holidays.
