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Influenza vaccines: 40 percent more doses against possible bottlenecks

Health experts hope that Austrians will be more willing to vaccinate against influenza due to the corona crisis. This would also be important in that double exposure to a second wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections and a flu wave could quickly push hospital capacities to their limits. According to the “press” (Thursday edition) there is a vaccine shortage.

The President of the Austrian Medical Association, Thomas Szekeres, said on Thursday that the influenza vaccine for the coming season had been ordered a year ago. One could try to get more cans. “However, doubling the vaccine dose is not possible,” said the doctor, referring to the long lead time.

Requirement notifications already completed

The health ministry announced in a press release on Thursday that 40 percent more doses will be available. However, vaccine manufacturers would start planning production with a lead time of one and a half years. “As part of public vaccine procurement, the health authorities must therefore report their respective needs at an early stage. Needs reports for the upcoming influenza season were already closed at the start of the pandemic,” said the Ministry of Health.

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