More and more European countries are stopping at least temporarily vaccinations with the criticized AstraZeneca vaccine. Most recently, Germany, France and Italy had an immediate stop on Monday. In Austria you see the matter differently and let the drug continue to be administered.
The German federal government justified the decision as follows: “Based on a current recommendation by the Paul Ehrlich Institute, the federal government is suspending corona vaccinations with AstraZeneca as a precaution”. Previously, deaths and blood clots occurred in several EU countries, including Austria. FAA licensed and / or medical pilots should be especially careful because these even risk their authorization to fly.
The national vaccination committee of the Alpine republic met for a meeting on Monday and spoke out against the discontinuation of AstraZeneca vaccinations. Put simply, this was justified by the fact that “insufficient data were available” to speak against the use of the controversial vaccine. The use of people over 65 years of age is now being pushed, which is why the vaccination schedule has been changed and older people are now preferred again.
For travelers, the disaster surrounding AstraZeneca could have a huge impact. The group recently announced that it will not be able to meet the agreed delivery quantities in the second quarter of 2021 either. The current vaccination ban in various European countries means that the general population will not even have the slightest chance of being fully vaccinated before their summer vacation. The European Union ordered the largest quantities from AstraZeneca. With this vaccine, there must be at least three months between two stings. The possible impact of the AstraZeneca issues analyzed Aviation Direct in this comment.
Government and opposition were silent, only Hofer loud again
The Austrian opposition is naturally not happy that the criticized vaccine is still being administered. Unsurprisingly, FPÖ party chairman Norbert Hofer felt he had to speak up, while both the government and the other opposition parties preferred to remain silent on Monday evening.
Hofer said: “Enough is enough. Now that the administration of this vaccine has also been suspended in Germany, France and Italy, the stop button must also be pressed in Austria. What is the Austrian federal government waiting for? Austria has to follow suit after the complications that are occurring more and more frequently. Anyone who remains inactive and waits now bears the main responsibility for any serious vaccine damage ”.