Missing Vaccinations: Warning of the Return of Long-Eradicated Diseases

While the demand for vaccinations has significantly increased for certain diseases, such as influenza, the commitment for other diseases still leaves much to be desired. And, as Wiedermann-Schmidt said at a press conference, the problem also lies in conveying the message to the public, because the issue is: "Vaccination is no longer in."

Influenza Wave is Here, RSV is Yet to Come

The expert pointed out that the influenza wave has already started and that a mutation of the H3N2 type has prevailed, which is causing some concern. The vaccination does not protect as well against infection, but it does protect against severe disease courses and minimizes the risk of severe complications from influenza. Among other things, the risk of myocarditis and encephalitis is significantly higher for patients who have had the flu compared to healthy individuals.

According to the expert, the peak of Covid has already been clearly surpassed. Regarding RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), Wiedermann-Schmidt stated that the wave has not yet started, but she expects it by the end of December or in January. There is also a vaccination against it, which provides protection especially for particularly vulnerable infants and young children.

Lower Vaccination Rates, More Measles and Whooping Cough

An example of diseases that are given the opportunity to re-emerge is measles: Although there have been fewer cases this year than in 2024, 35 patients have been hospitalized. "The notion that it is a mild childhood disease is certainly the wrong association," said Wiedermann-Schmidt. In the USA and Canada, it has also been observed what happens when the vaccination rate drops - the North American countries were hit by a veritable measles wave.

Pertussis or whooping cough is also reappearing more frequently. Wiedermann-Schmidt pointed out that the booster every five years is particularly important and that there is also a simple pertussis vaccine available. It is particularly effective to administer it when the protection against other diseases covered in the combination vaccine, such as tetanus and diphtheria, is still sufficient.

Large Diphtheria Outbreaks in African Countries

In the case of diphtheria, large outbreaks have been recorded primarily in African countries - including Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa, and Chad. Due to the active migration movement from these countries to Europe, this could also lead to problems here. Hepatitis A infections are an increasing problem in this country and in neighboring states such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, said Wiedermann-Schmidt. Cases have occurred especially among adults, homeless people, homosexual men, and sex workers. "I think we need to adapt the vaccination programs," she said. Currently, the hepatitis A vaccination is purely a travel vaccination.

In general, constant adjustments to the vaccination plan are very sensible. Wiedermann-Schmidt mentioned three points: Firstly, it is about monitoring infections, for example, through wastewater monitoring. Secondly, the electronic vaccination record is very important, as it provides an overview of who is vaccinated against what. And thirdly, it is about communication: "How do we get the message across to the population?"

Success Programs with Obstacles: Pneumococci and Shingles

Wiedermann-Schmidt, Rudolf Schmitzberger, head of the vaccination department of the Austrian Medical Association, and Gerhard Kobinger, second vice president of the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists, pointed out that there are also vaccination success stories, as shown by the free programs against pneumococci and herpes zoster (shingles) for those over 60. The experts acknowledged that there are bottlenecks, which are likely due to distribution. According to entries in the vaccination records, only 25 percent of the available vaccines for shingles have been administered so far, "and we already have to reorder," as Kobinger said.

He explained that some had ordered a supply for a year, while others only very small quantities. Kobinger advocated for distribution through pharmacies: "We have been doing this for years." Schmitzberger admitted that the vaccines against herpes zoster are particularly long-lasting, and the argument brought by Kobinger about the threat of waste does not apply to these vaccines. It is important to move away from the "tedious first-come-first-serve principle" (whoever orders first is served first, note).

Criticism of Vaccine Skeptics

However, Kobinger fundamentally attested: "The vaccination rates in Austria are still significantly in need of improvement." He spoke of 15,000 cases of whooping cough and criticized vaccine skeptics in this context: "If you see how babies and toddlers cough their souls out and desperately gasp for air, and then still say that vaccination is not the real deal, then you have not understood something."

Schmitzberger also pointed out that the free vaccination against HPV will expire in mid-2026. Anyone who wants to be fully vaccinated against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) for free must get the first partial injection before the end of the year so that the second partial vaccination - scheduled six months after the first - remains free.

(APA/Red.)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.