1.When should you get vaccinated against Covid-19?
“Now is exactly the right time for this, we shouldn’t wait any longer,” says Monika Redlberger-Fritz, virologist at the Medical University of Vienna and member of the National Vaccination Committee. The monitoring system of doctors in private practice and the wastewater data from the sewage treatment plants show: Austria is at the beginning of an autumn wave. Sars-Cov-2 is currently dominant, and rhinoviruses that cause colds are also circulating.
2. The vaccine from the pharmaceutical company Biontech currently available in Austria is tailored to the Omicron variant JN.1. Is this still the dominant variant in Austria?
The Omicron variant KP.3 is currently mainly circulating in this country. Since it is closely related to JN.1, the vaccination offers good protection. This also applies to the XEC variant, which is currently spreading in Germany.
3. What symptoms does the KP3 variant cause?
There are the usual Covid symptoms: nasopharyngeal inflammation, often diarrhea and nausea, and even severe pneumonia. “KP.3 is just as dangerous as the previous variants. The spectrum extends from very mild to very severe,” says virologist Monika Redlberger-Fritz.
4. How often should you get vaccinated against Covid-19?
Ideally once a year at the beginning of the first wave of autumn. After a Covid infection, you should wait six months before getting vaccinated.
“Now is exactly the right time for the Covid vaccination, you shouldn’t wait any longer.”
Monika Redlberger-Fritz, virologist at the Medical University of Vienna and member of the National Vaccination Committee
5. Should only risk groups and older people get vaccinated – or should everyone?
Vaccination is absolutely recommended for risk groups and people over 60 – for the rest of the population, vaccination protects against severe disease and in the first twelve to 16 weeks also protects 50 to 60 percent against infection. Nobody should delay vaccination, there are enough vaccines available.
6. When should you get vaccinated against the flu?
In recent years, the following virus sequence has been established: The autumn season begins with Sars-Cov-2, before it is replaced a few weeks later by influenza and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whose symptoms are similar to the flu. “If possible, everyone should get vaccinated against influenza at the end of October,” says virologist Redlberger-Fritz. Since this year, the flu vaccination has been free for everyone living in Austria. Risk groups and people over 60 should also be immunized against RSV.
7. How well is the flu vaccine available this year adapted to the variants currently circulating?
Since there are currently little to no flu viruses circulating, a meaningful comparison with the vaccines is not yet possible. However, vaccination is definitely recommended.
8. This year there are a high number of cases of whooping cough caused by bacteria. Should you also get vaccinated against it?
The vaccination against whooping cough (which is given in combination with diphtheria and tetanus) previously had to be refreshed every ten years. On October 1, 2024, the national vaccination plan was adjusted: it is now recommended to refresh every five years. A look at the vaccination certificate is strongly recommended.
9. Who should get vaccinated against pneumococcus?
The bacterial disease can cause, among other things, pneumonia, middle ear infections and meningitis. Infants, small children, chronically ill people and people over 60 are particularly at risk. The vaccination is included in the free vaccination program up to the age of two and consists of three vaccinations. According to the national vaccination plan, adults receive two different vaccines one year apart.
10. Can you get vaccinated even if you have a cold?
If you have mild cold symptoms, vaccination is not a problem. If you have a fever over 38.5 degrees, you should postpone the jab as the vaccination cannot then have its full effect.
