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AUSTRIA’S GOVERNMENT HAS said it wanted a nationwide lockdown for those not vaccinated against or recovered from the coronavirus, while Vienna city authorities said they would start vaccinating children as young as five – a first in the EU.
Only around 65% of the population is fully vaccinated in Austria, a rate described by Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg as “shamefully low”.
Salzburg and Upper Austria states, which have seen some of the worst case rates, are already introducing a lockdown for the unvaccinated from Monday.
This means they will not be able to leave the house except for reasons such as buying essential supplies, exercise or seeking medical care.
“The aim is clear: we want on Sunday to give the green light for a nationwide lockdown for the unvaccinated,” Schallenberg told a press conference.
He said lockdowns across the country would be enforced with “random” spot checks.
The measure will have to be signed off by parliament and a meeting of the heads of regional governments over the weekend before it can be rolled out across the country.
Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig said in a statement today that the city authorities there would also be introducing extra measures in order to “keep in check … the dangerous development” of infection rates in the city.
Among these will be vaccinations for children between five and 11 as of Monday, making Vienna the first EU region to vaccinate children of this age.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has not yet issued an authorisation for any of the vaccines to be used for this age group but member states have the right to do so anyway to respond to a public health emergency.
In addition, Vienna residents will now be able to get a third booster vaccination only four months after their second dose, not six months as originally planned.
In order to attend events of more than 25 people or go to bars and restaurants in the city in the evening, not only will proof of vaccination or recovery be required but also the results of a PCR test no more than 48 hours old.
‘Protecting the majority’
Also today, Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein announced he would order compulsory vaccination for health workers but did not specify when this would enter into force.
Mueckstein said that availability in intensive care units in the hardest-hit areas was becoming “ever scarcer”.
Schallenberg said the government had been reluctant to consider the latest measure but justified it by saying: “The majority of the population, who have done the right thing, who have protected themselves – now we have to protect them too.”
“I don’t accept that the solidarity of the protected majority with the unprotected minority should go as far as a lockdown,” he said.
He called again on those who have not yet been vaccinated to get the jab.
Last week, the government had already said that only those vaccinated against or recovered from the virus would be allowed into restaurants, hotels and cultural venues.
Mueckstein said today that vaccination numbers had increased in the past few days.
In elections in Upper Austria in September a party set up specifically to oppose coronavirus restrictions won six percent of votes and a seat in the regional assembly.
So far, more than 11,640 people infected with the coronavirus have died in Austria.
On Wednesday the daily new case rate in the Alpine EU member of 8.9 million hit 11,398, the highest number recorded since the beginning of the pandemic.
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Good to see another country not pandering to the anti vax cohort, and instead are putting public health first.
@Stephen Kearon: How long does the booster shot last? Anybody?
@Liam McLiam: 6 months I think ..it’s a winter virus sorta so we will be advised’to get the booster like the flu jab.
@Stephen Kearon: what was the data for preventing deaths in the original first two jabs ? I am sure it was advertised as higher than the booster in your leaked link..how is that better..I know it’s not your article but how accurate is it…..
The study also found the booster shot was 81% effective in preventing COVID-related deaths
@Stephen Kearon: Appreciate the link. My point still stands though. Basically a live trial is taking place in Israel according to the article and the deductions are it might or it could offer X amount of time protection, it’s a prediction pure and simple. My point again to anyone is why were and are is the term “fully vaccinated” still being used in Irish media. They aren’t according to the article and are taking part in a wait and see trial. Why are people being being discriminated against if they question this?
@MrJohne: It is very much not a winter virus. That’s why the case rates and deaths in children exceeds those from the flu in that cohort.
@Kevin Farrell: Not correct. It’s been proven in multiple studies that Covid is much less severe than the flu for children.
@Toon Army: Kevin is correct, as one of the largest studies (over 240,000 children) has shown, see https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/covid19-is-milder-in-children-but-still-much-worse-than-influenza
@Liam McLiam: 9 months according to Luke O Neill
@Toon Army: Yes, indeed it may have, and I wasn’t suggesting that a Covid infection is more lethal than a flu infection in a CHILD. However, the vast majority of flu cases are during the winter, whereas the point I was making is that Covid is not a winter-only virus. So, although the flu is more deadly to children, such infections only occur in winter, which is a fraction of the year. But with Covid, the infections occur all year round, resulting in a much greater number of cases, and a greater number of deaths even though it is currently less lethal in CHILDREN.
@MrJohne: Its not a winter virus.
@Liam McLiam: Because fully vaccinated means two shots. You may need a booster but that is a different shot.
Nobody is being discriminated against but some people love to play the poor me card.
@Toon Army: What studies are they as Covid has a massive mortality rate to flu.
Fair play to the Austrian jury..
@sean de paore: Wow, how easy and willing people are to give up their liberties. I’m double vacced, because we we’re told, once we do this, we’d have normal life back. So wrong, we now gave to fight for our liberties back, in this day and age, we shouldn’t have to fight for basic liberties.
@Alan Wright: my life is pretty much back to normal.
The only thing missing is my weekly night out. I was planning to start that again this coming week, but decided against it. Not because of covid, but because I feel that €40 is a bit much to spend for one person on a night out that involves no alcohol or clubbing. It used to cost me €10 for the same night out a few years ago. The reason for the jump is added transport costs not previously needed, and increased food costs due to now being on a wheat free diet.
So.. go on and tell me what liberties I’m missing due to covid.. because I’m not seeing any. In fact, my diet reduces my liberties far more.
@Mirabelle Stonegate: Cheapskate, take the concrete out of your pockets and live a little
@Mirabelle Stonegate: What the total Fu#k. So because, now you are intolerant to wheat you can’t go out? When in the last 10 years could you go ‘out’ for €10? Say you get public transport (€3 each way = €6) then have a drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic and food (with your remaining €4). You are talking shyte of the maximum order.
@Mirabelle Stonegate: personal bodily autonomy is a big old liberty you’re happily giving up. Letting the government inject whatever they say into your bodies so you can earn your God given freedoms.
Liberty is something worth fighting for and is something we should never allow any authority to take away from us.
Good stuff
@Spartacus Ireland: I absolutely agree with you.
@Maximus_Demonus #FBPE: “equal rights for all”. That’s from your own Twitter bio.
Speaking from both sides of your mouth it seems.
@Spartacus Ireland: while I agree with some of this sentiment, I don’t want to force anyone to be vaccinated. The effective of the vaccine is not in question at all.
can share exactly which country has been pandering to anti vax. cohort as you claim ??
also if the EMA don’t need to approve as states ca ndo whatever they want inn the name of public health – thenn what exactly is their role ???
@Dave Hammond: You have to clarify your point. I fear that with your lack of grammar and punctuation, that people won’t take you seriously. It’s commonplace in these open-forum spaces that if you don’t articulate yourself sufficiently that you’ll be left behind..
In short, please explain exactly what it is that you’re talking about..
@Dave Hammond: ‘This means nothing to me/Oh, Vienna…’
@Dave Hammond: Where did you learn English, Dave?
@Dave Hammond: where exactly did you learn your English, Dave?
@Sean O’Doherty: You seem to have posted twice, Sean. I suppose when you’re in a rush to flex the inner pedant it’s easy to do.
@Dave Hammond: a few jars in tonight Dave?
@Sean O’Doherty: same place you did by the looks of it, smug git!
@John Smith:must be great being you.
@Spartacus Ireland: I’ll reply here also as well as below…
it is not in question, there have been multiple studies on all of your questions.
It’s exactly what you’d expect from a vaccine.
There are studies showing how much less effective they get.
A vaccine is a preventative medicine.
Vaccines have been shown to lower transmission in studies.
Everything you consume can be called ‘chemicals’.
@Maximus_Demonus #FBPE: the year 202 probably had lots of lepers unvaccinated too,isn’t modern medicine much better,pity they didn’t have certs back then to save them
@Spartacus Ireland:
Proof you are misinformed and are promoting vaccine misinformation:
Facts:
1. October 9th 155/369 (42.0%) of the notified deaths had an epidemiological date 14 days or more after receiving all recommended doses of vaccine and are considered as vaccine breakthrough infections – see technical note.
2. November 6th: 292/606 (48.2%) of the notified deaths had an epidemiological date 14 days or more after receiving both doses of a 2-dose regimen or 1 dose of a 1-dose regimen and are considered as vaccine breakthrough infections – see technical note.
From this data we see that between Oct 9 and Nov 6, there were a total of 237 COVID-19 deaths, of which 138 (58%) were fully vaccinated and 99 (42%) were unvaccinated (a few had one dose, which offers little protection against Delta). All who died were older than 50.
There are 1.5 million people in Ireland over 50 and >98% are fully vaccinated (this has not changed since the end August, over 2 months ago). Therefore, there are 1.46 million fully vaccinated and 26,000 who remain unvaccinated older than 50
Now let’s look at the death rate for vaccinated v’s unvaccinated over 50-year-olds.
138 deaths / 1.46 million fully vaccinated = 0.01%
99 deaths / 26,000 unvaccinated = 0.38%
Unvaccinated (all >50) were 38 times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to someone who is vaccinated.
This is proof that vaccines work.
Is that where the Furher was born
good move.
@Tom Quin: No its not.
@Franny Ando: yes it is.
@Mal Swan: oh no it’s not
@SquintEastwood: Really is though…
@Spartacus Ireland: don’t believe ya after the “as a fully vaccinated” and then the “rest of the dribble”…
This will be unwelcome news for the ‘iReLaNd iS tHe oNlY cOuNtRy cArRyInG oN lIkE tHiS’ brigade.
@JedBartlett: i think its a bit much too to be honest Jed. Might provide some of that afformentioned balance to some of the people that are convinced we have already become the totaliarian state you allude to even with everything open and rocketing numbers.
@JedBartlett: Stopping people from dying is not a totalitarian state. Its not about feeling safe, it is about saving lives and stopping people from getting long term illnesses.
Be great if this happened in Ireland
@Mal Swan: Started with “as a fully vaccinated”
@Spartacus Ireland: when the vaccine first came into use it was tailored towards the previous dominant strain. Not only was it more effective in general it was almost 100% effective at preventing transmission too, as per Israeli study. A new strain came along that worse so those percentages came down, but its still clearly effective at both preventing most serious illness and death and also reducing the number of cases. Remember we had higher case numbers in January when we were in full level 5 lockdown. Now we’re fully open. You don’t need to be a genius to figure that vaccines are the reason. As for how long the booster lasts for we can’t know now because it hasn’t been around long enough. This is the first time in history that a vaccine has been introduced during a pandemic.
@Spartacus Ireland:100% agree with you.
@Maximus_Demonus #FBPE: I have 2 shots of moderna in me. Hypocrisy isn’t good, you can be better.
Is that where hitler was born
@Spartacus Ireland: “Started with “as a fully vaccinated””
But then said this:
“we can’t have a world where we must put chemicals in our bodies because the government will curtail our lives if we don’t imo”
- We -
You are talking about the unvaccinated as a member of this group
@Spartacus Ireland: if its not part of the society you support just opt out pal, either that or keep jamming on in the journal comments. You might succeed some day hopefully. Night pal
@Colette Kearns: No-one is being forced to take the vaccine.
Isn’t that where furher was born
@Kevin Beattie: it wasnt good the first time.
@Kevin Beattie: fuhrer
Seems like the correct approach, not sure if that’s the right way here though, there are 35% unvaccinated there its a different ball game
@Man incognito: if we’re to go %population, it’s just under 25% unvaccinated here, we’re not as far ahead as you’d think
@Spartacus Ireland: good science questions to a degree and then there is just denying science which I’m afraid your “questioning” falls under…
The vaccine is not under trial.
@Spartacus Ireland:
Proof you are misinformed and are promoting vaccine misinformation:
Facts:
1. October 9th 155/369 (42.0%) of the notified deaths had an epidemiological date 14 days or more after receiving all recommended doses of vaccine and are considered as vaccine breakthrough infections – see technical note.
2. November 6th: 292/606 (48.2%) of the notified deaths had an epidemiological date 14 days or more after receiving both doses of a 2-dose regimen or 1 dose of a 1-dose regimen and are considered as vaccine breakthrough infections – see technical note.
From this data we see that between Oct 9 and Nov 6, there were a total of 237 COVID-19 deaths reported, of which 138 (58%) were fully vaccinated and 99 (42%) were unvaccinated (a few had one dose, which offers little protection against Delta). All who died were older than 50.
There are 1.5 million people in Ireland over 50 and >98% are fully vaccinated (this has not changed since the end August, over 2 months ago). Therefore, there are 1.46 million fully vaccinated and 26,000 who remain unvaccinated older than 50
Now let’s look at the death rate for vaccinated v’s unvaccinated over 50-year-olds.
138 deaths / 1.46 million fully vaccinated = 0.01%
99 deaths / 26,000 unvaccinated = 0.38%
Unvaccinated (all >50) were 38 times more likely to die from COVID-19 compared to someone who is vaccinated.
This is proof that vaccines work.
Is that where h- itler was born
@JedBartlett: You’re not the one to be preaching ‘be better’ lad!
@JedBartlett: Just get your vaccine, care for others instead of your own selfish a$$, be a better person.
So the vaccines protect you from the virus but not against the unvaccinated, apparently?
That’s some yarn to be spinning in fairness
@Seán Gordon: why would you call people 1700 years ago lunatics for believing what they were thought,they didn’t know any better.if you said 100 years ago people would fly in space you would have been crazy…
ignaz semmelweis..another man considered crazy from his beliefs at the time and nobody would believe him
how much knowledge do you have of today’s science and where did you learn it or did you figure it out all yourself..people believe all sorts of weird things and I try not to judge them ,most people today have different beliefs that are unscientific and can’t be explained, seen or proven but are acceptable to society so who exactly are these lunatics of today..are people who think covid certs will save them from covid or stop it spreading lunatics.
@Mal Swan: Clown
@SquintEastwood: the earth was also deemed 100% flat by most lunatics for at least another 300 years after this. Imagine what those modern day lunatics believe now.
have your say