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Austria has a voluntary vaccination program that is straightforward, well-organized, and accessible to all. The country's public healthcare system covers some immunizations for free, overseen by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection. Standard vaccinations are free for children up to the age of 15, but other immunizations, such as travel vaccinations or adult immunizations, may come with fees. The Austrian vaccination plan includes vaccines against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, and human papillomavirus (HPV). Recently, the first vaccine against Chikungunya, developed by the Austrian-French company Valneva, became available in Austria, protecting travelers from infection in endemic countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination rate | Austria has the lowest vaccination rate in Europe at 84% |
| Vaccination costs | Covered by public funds for children up to their 15th birthday |
| Covered by public funds for human papillomavirus (HPV) up to the age of 30 | |
| Travel vaccinations and adult immunizations may incur charges | |
| Vaccination Action Plan | Defined by ÖVIH |
| Chikungunya vaccine | Developed by Austrian-French pharmaceutical company Valneva in Vienna |
| Vaccination status | Voluntary |
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What You'll Learn
Chikungunya vaccine
Austria has been facing challenges due to vaccine hesitancy, which has led to a resurgence of diseases like diphtheria and whooping cough. The country has the lowest vaccination rate in Europe, and this trend is also observed in childhood vaccinations. However, Austria has taken steps to address this issue by implementing a "`Vaccination Action Plan'" and providing free-of-charge vaccinations for children up to their 15th birthday.
Among the vaccines available in Austria, one notable development is the Chikungunya vaccine, known as IXCHIQ. This vaccine was developed by the Austrian-French pharmaceutical company Valneva in Vienna and is now available in Austrian pharmacies. IXCHIQ is approved for use in adults aged 18 and over and is administered as a single dose. The development of this vaccine is particularly significant given the growing global health threat posed by the Chikungunya virus.
The Chikungunya virus is primarily transmitted to people through the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. These mosquitoes are spreading to more and more countries due to climate change, expanding the geographical reach of the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes Chikungunya as a major and growing public health problem, with outbreaks reported in over 110 countries.
The common symptoms of Chikungunya include fever, joint pain, rash, headache, and muscle pain. The IXCHIQ vaccine contains a live, weakened version of the Chikungunya virus, and it may cause similar symptoms in some recipients. Clinical trials have shown that the vaccine is generally safe and effective, with common adverse reactions including tenderness, headache, fatigue, myalgia, arthralgia, fever, and nausea. However, there have been rare cases of severe or prolonged Chikungunya-like adverse reactions that required medical intervention.
The Chikungunya vaccine is recommended for travelers visiting countries or territories with ongoing Chikungunya outbreaks or evidence of recent virus transmission. It is also suggested for laboratory workers who might be exposed to the virus. Pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and their infants are generally advised to avoid the risk of infection if possible, but healthcare providers can discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination with individuals in these categories when necessary.
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Vaccinations for children
Vaccinations in Austria are voluntary. The country's public healthcare system covers some immunisations for free. The Austrian child vaccination programme provides free-of-charge vaccinations for children and young people up to their 15th birthday. The costs are covered by the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, the federal provinces, and the social insurance system. There are 12 free vaccines for children, which include diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, and the combined vaccine against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). The vaccination rate for early summer meningoencephalitis (FSME) is declining in Austria, and there is a push to improve the completion rate for the first three doses for children.
For the human papillomavirus (HPV), vaccination costs are covered by public funds up to the age of 30. The most effective vaccination is in childhood, but there are still large gaps, especially among boys. The target is to vaccinate 90% of boys, but by age 14, not even half are vaccinated.
The World Health Organization (WHO) now considers Chikungunya, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, to be a major and growing public health problem. The first vaccine against Chikungunya, developed by the Austrian-French pharmaceutical company Valneva in Vienna, is now available in Austria. The vaccine IXCHIQ is administered as a single dose to adults aged 18 and over.
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HPV vaccine
Austria has a low vaccination rate compared to the rest of Europe, with only 84% coverage. This has led to a rise in cases of pertussis, measles, diphtheria, and influenza. However, the country has been working to improve its vaccination rates, especially for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
The HPV vaccine has been available in Austria since at least 2013, when the country became a frontrunner in Europe for its HPV vaccination policy. The vaccine is offered to both girls and boys, with the goal of preventing HPV-related cancers and other diseases. HPV is a major cancer-causing factor in both sexes, affecting the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, penis, and oropharynx. It is also a causal factor in genital warts and recurrent respiratory papillomatis.
The Austrian government covers the costs of the HPV vaccine for individuals up to the age of 30. While the vaccine is most effective during childhood, there are still low vaccination rates among boys, with less than half vaccinated by the age of 14. The target vaccination rate for this age group is 90%.
There are several clinics in Austria that offer the HPV vaccine, including the Graz Ragnitz Clinic, the Rudolfinerhaus, and the AKH Clinic. These clinics have been recognized for their high standards, modern equipment, and accurate diagnoses.
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FSME vaccine
Austria has a voluntary vaccination program that is straightforward, well-organized, and accessible. The country's public healthcare system covers some immunizations for free, overseen by the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection. Standard vaccinations are free for children up to the age of 15, but other immunizations may come with fees. The Austrian child vaccination program provides free vaccinations for children and young people up to their 15th birthday, with costs covered by the Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection, the federal provinces, and the social insurance system.
The FSME vaccine, which protects against early summer meningoencephalitis, is one of the vaccinations provided in Austria. The vaccination rate for FSME has been declining in recent years, dropping from 74% in 2019-2020 to about 60% in 2023-2024. The completion rate for the first three doses among children aged 1-15 fell to 45% in 2023-2024.
FSME is a tick-borne disease that can cause inflammation of the brain, spinal cord, or the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is most commonly found in Central Europe and Russia, with Austria being one of the countries with the highest incidence rates. The FSME vaccine is recommended for individuals who live in or travel to endemic areas and spend time outdoors in areas where infected ticks may be present.
The FSME vaccine is generally safe and effective, and it is typically given in a series of three doses, with the first two doses administered within one to three months of each other, and the third dose given five to twelve months after the second dose. A booster dose is then recommended every three to five years to maintain protection.
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Vaccination rates
Austria has a low vaccination rate compared to the rest of Europe, with a coverage rate of 84%, the lowest on the continent. This has led to a resurgence in cases of vaccine-preventable diseases such as pertussis, measles, diphtheria, and influenza. The Austrian Association of Vaccine Manufacturers (ÖVIH) has warned that the vaccination rate for early summer meningoencephalitis (FSME) is also declining. Despite the availability of free vaccines for children up to the age of 15, vaccine hesitancy and low vaccination rates persist in the country.
Vaccinations in Austria are voluntary, and the country's public healthcare system covers some immunizations for free. Standard vaccinations for children are included in the Mutter-Kind-Pass, a national preventative program run by pediatricians and general practitioners. There are a total of 12 free vaccines for children, including diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, and the combined vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). The Austrian child vaccination program guarantees free vaccination against measles, mumps, and rubella for all age groups.
However, even public vaccination programs have struggled to increase vaccination rates in Austria. For example, only 15.16% of the population got vaccinated against influenza in the winter of 2024, falling short of the EU and WHO's recommended vaccination rate of 75% in risk groups. Additionally, there are gaps in vaccination coverage, especially among boys, for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is currently covered by public funds up to the age of 30. The completion rate for the first three doses of the HPV vaccine among children aged one to 15 fell to 45% in 2023-2024.
To address these challenges, the ÖVIH has proposed a "Vaccination Action Plan" with concrete goals and guidelines from relevant authorities to improve vaccination rates across all age and risk groups. They also emphasize the need to better utilize the e-vaccination pass and develop a nationwide, age-group-tiered vaccination concept with a focus on lifelong vaccination. Despite the chancellor's recommendation of vaccinations, Austria has opposed the introduction of general compulsory vaccination, reflecting the opinion of 70% of Austrians who strongly object to it.
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Frequently asked questions
Routine vaccinations for children are included in Austria's Mutter-Kind-Pass and are free of charge up to the age of 15. There are 12 free vaccines for children, which include diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, and the combined vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). The country's public healthcare system also covers some immunisations for free.
Austria has the lowest vaccination rate in Europe at 84%, according to the Austrian Association of Vaccine Manufacturers (ÖVIH).
The Austrian government has stated that a general compulsory vaccination will not be introduced. Chancellor Kurz has stressed that immunisation is voluntary but strongly recommended as the infection rate is expected to rise.
Austria has a variety of vaccines available, including those for measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, HPV, FSME, influenza, COVID-19, and Chikungunya.
