This is around two months earlier than usual, as the Ministry of Health drew attention to in a broadcast on Saturday. Therefore, the department recommended getting a vaccination against the flu now.
On average, 1,000 people die from influenza in Austria every year. In the past two years, the flu has hardly been an issue due to the corona pandemic, and there have also been few cases. “The immunity in the population is therefore relatively low, the risk of a strong wave of influenza is particularly high,” warned the Director General for Public Health, Katharina Reich.
Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) reminded that the same measures help against influenza as against SARS-CoV-2: “Vaccination protects, wearing an FFP2 mask, hygiene measures and keeping your distance also protect.” The ministry pointed out that the vaccine is already available from doctors in private practice throughout Austria and that many vaccination campaigns will begin in the coming days. The vaccination is generally recommended, especially for people with an increased risk of severe courses of influenza and their household contacts as well as for people with an increased risk of infection.
Source: Nachrichten
