“The situation has changed,” says Deputy Governor Christine Haberlander (VP): “In contrast to the first few months, there is more vaccine than demand.”
Which is why the country will adjust its corona vaccination campaign from next week, as announced in the OÖN. The aim: easier access to vaccinations, especially for those who “are not opposed to vaccinations, but still need to be convinced” – especially younger people. The current measures:
Pop-up injection sites: There you will be able to get vaccinated without registering. The first such vaccination center will be opened next week in the Passage-Kaufhaus Linz, the vaccine from Johnson & Johnson will be inoculated (no second vaccination necessary). Negotiations are currently underway with PlusCity in Pasching and another shopping center. Mobile teams in vaccination buses are also planned.
More flexible registration: Starting next week, appointments should be free to choose when registering at ooe.impft.at, regardless of whether it is the first or the second appointment (this was previously fixed). The booking can then be made in a “recommended time interval”. This allows you to react to appointment cancellations and postponements, especially during the vacation period.
Vaccination campaigns: An apprentice vaccination campaign is being prepared with the Chamber of Commerce. A vaccination campaign for apprentices and holiday interns will start in the regional service in mid-July.
56 percent vaccinated at least once, 62,000 appointments booked
A vaccination rate of 70 percent by the end of summer is needed to be prepared against the more contagious delta variant of the coronavirus, says the new chairman of the governor’s conference, the Tyrolean Günther Platter (VP).
That is “feasible” at least for the first vaccinations, says Upper Austria’s LH Deputy. Christine Haberlander. Provided that the vaccination offer is also accepted. As of Friday, 736,529 people in Upper Austria had been vaccinated at least once, which corresponds to 56 percent of the “vaccinable” population aged twelve and over. By July 24th, 62,000 people had booked a vaccination appointment, with them the percentage rises to more than 60 percent. A further 83,000 dates are still available. Around 39 percent are fully immunized.
“Keep delivery commitments”
The delivery promises of the federal government “are now being kept”, says vaccination coordinator Gerhard Durstberger. Upper Austria also has a “conservative vaccination plan”: No appointment had to be canceled due to a lack of vaccines. The number of postponed appointments is between 300 and 400 per day. That could be included in the planning. “No cans are thrown away.” An advertising campaign for vaccination is now aimed specifically at young people.
Bernd Lamprecht, head of the pulmonary clinic at the Kepler University Hospital in Linz, estimates the proportion of the Delta variant in infections in Upper Austria at currently 25 percent. The vaccination is also effective against these and prevents severe disease progression “reliably”, Lamprecht cites relevant studies.
The vaccination is particularly effective for young people: there is an effectiveness of “up to 100 percent”. It is now also known that the transferability of the virus in vaccinated people is reduced by 75 percent.
