Austria updates vaccination schedules and reports low senior activity

The Austrian Ministry of Health has updated the national vaccination plan, reverting the pertussis (whooping cough) booster interval for individuals under 60 from five years back to every ten years. This change follows an improvement in infection rates compared to the 2024 spike. However, officials recommend that those aged 60 and older continue receiving boosters every five years. Additionally, COVID-19 vaccinations will remain free for the 2026/27 season, with boosters strongly recommended for high-risk groups and healthcare workers.

Separately, a study by MedUni Wien involving nearly 4,000 participants aged 65 and older reveals that only approximately 30 percent of Austrian seniors meet the international recommendation of 150 minutes of weekly aerobic physical activity. Researchers found that increased physical activity could potentially prevent up to 46.6 percent of strokes, 40.8 percent of heart attacks, and 35.8 percent of diabetes cases among this demographic.