Austria vaccination policy and supply challenges

In September 2026, Austria updated its national vaccination recommendations for the 2026/27 season, introducing a seasonal strategy favoring booster shots in late summer or autumn. Key updates included extended booster intervals for pertussis in individuals under 60 and the inclusion of the 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV21) for specific indications starting at age two.

By October 2026, the country faced delivery delays for approximately 868,000 doses of the influenza vaccine Influvac due to production and supply chain disruptions. In response, the Ministry of Health began prioritizing high-risk groups, such as children aged two to 18, pregnant women, and individuals aged 60 and older. While the government ordered 1.7 million free influenza doses—a 12 percent increase from the previous year—officials are working to manage the shortage to meet a long-term goal of a 75 percent vaccination rate among elderly and high-risk populations.

As the autumn season progresses, respiratory infections are increasing across Germany and Austria. Wastewater monitoring indicates that non-influenza viruses, such as rhinoviruses and parainfluenzaviruses, are currently circulating. Epidemiologists anticipate that waves of coronavirus, influenza, and RSV will become more prominent toward the end of the year. In Germany, officials noted that the return to school and large-scale events like Oktoberfest contribute to viral spread. Austrian health authorities continue to manage the vaccine shortage by distributing nasal spray vaccines for children and vaccines for the elderly, with full delivery of the delayed doses expected by late November.