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Vienna International Health and Pharmaceutical Industry News
Read the latest headlines about the Viennese and Austrian health and pharmaceuticals industry
Inaugural Statement of Austria's New Chancellor: "We Want to Reconcile with History"
Newly appointed Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer delivered his inaugural statement to the National Council. Read what the new chancellor said are some of the key issues his government will focus on.
December 10, 2021
Austria's Mandatory Vaccination Bill on the Table
The first draft of Austria's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination bill is now available, and it details fines for the unvaccinated beginning in March 2022. Learn how much the fines could be and who may qualify for an exemption from compulsory vaccination.
December 6, 2021
Austro-French Vaccine Company Valneva's Covid-19 Jab under EU Review
The EU's medicines agency EMA launched an accelerated review of a Covid-19 vaccine by Austro-French biotech firm Valneva. Recently the European Commission agreed to buy as many as 60 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine. The deal would allow EU member states to purchase almost 27 million doses from Valneva in 2022, and an additional 33 million in 2023.
December 2, 2021
City of Vienna Partner Lab Massively Expands Covid-19 Laboratory
The Lifebrain laboratory, which partners with the City of Vienna, is undergoing a massive expansion on its COVID-19 laboratory. This expansion comes just weeks after an unfair competition lawsuit brought against Lifebrain by the Vienna Medical Association was dismissed. Read about Lifebrain's lab expansion and legal issues.
December 1, 2021
Austrian Covid Data: Vaccination Protects 95 Percent from Hospitalization
A new study from the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) has shown that the COVID-19 vaccines offer about 95 percent protection against hospitalization from coronavirus. Read about this study and the efficacy of the vaccines.
December 1, 2021
Austria Donated Unusable Covid Vaccine Doses to Bosnia and Herzegovina
It was recently reported that Bosnia and Herzegovina had to throw out an unknown amount of the 500,000 AstraZeneca Covid vaccination doses that had been donated by Austria. Read more about this and the problem of global vaccine equity.
November 30, 2021
Explained: Compulsory Covid Vaccination for All in Austria as of February 2022
The Austrian government has announced that vaccination against COVID-19 will be mandatory as early as February 2022. Learn more about the new law and what it means for people in Austria.
November 25, 2021
Edtstadler at General Affairs Council: Mandatory Vaccination is Necessary
At a meeting of the EU General Affairs Council in Brussels, Austrian EU Minister Karoline Edtstadler stressed the need for mandatory vaccinations in Austria and coordination in the fight against COVID-19 at the European level. Read Edtstadler's expectations for the European Commission, her defense of compulsory vaccinations, and more.
November 24, 2021
Solidarity with Vietnam: Austria Sends 50,000 Vaccines
Parts of Vietnam are currently experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19. To simultaneously help Vietnam in the fight against the virus and improve bilateral relations, Austria donated 50,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Read more about this act of solidarity.
November 22, 2021
Covid in Austria: Lockdown From Monday, Immediate Tightening of Measures in Vienna
Chancellor Schallenberg and Health Minister Mückstein have announced a nationwide lockdown for Austria beginning Monday. As of February 1, 2022, vaccination will be mandatory in Austria. Additionally, Vienna has announced a tightening of COVID-19 measures effective immediately. Read about the upcoming lockdown and the new measures in Vienna.
November 19, 2021
Japanese Life Sciences Corporation Invests More Than 100 Million Euros in Vienna
The Japanese life sciences company Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited is investing more than 100 million euros in a new building in Seestadt, Vienna. Read about the massive investment and see a picture of what it is supposed to look like upon completion.
November 18, 2021
Covid in Vienna: Booster Shots for All after Four Months and Vaccination for Children Five Years and Older
The City of Vienna has decided to offer booster vaccinations for COVID-19 to everyone four months after their second dose. The Austrian capital has also begun vaccinating children 5 to 11 years old. Read about these two new vaccination offers.
November 17, 2021
COVID-19 in Austria: Verification of Compliance with Applicable Access Rules Becomes Easier
A new app known as Green Check is now widely available in Austria and has made verification of compliance with COVID-19 access rules much simpler. Read more about the new app and how it works.
November 12, 2021
Vienna as a Center of Diplomacy: Bid for Another International Organization
Vienna is bidding to become the European headquarters of the International Vaccine Institute, which has been based in Seoul since 1997 and is responsible for distributing vaccines to developing countries. The aim is to further strengthen Vienna as the official seat of international organizations. Cost: Fifteen million euros within 5 years. Learn more about the background, the plan and the financing of this initiative.
November 8, 2021
COVID-19 in Vienna: 2G Rule in Gastronomy and Vaccination Street for 5 to 12-Year-olds
Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig announced that Vienna is planning to implement stricter COVID-19 measures due to the increase in cases and hospitalizations. Read about the new measures and Vienna's plans to offer vaccinations for 5 to 12-year-olds.
November 5, 2021
COVID-19 in Austria: Booster Vaccinations Now Available to Everyone in Vienna After Six Months
Mayor Michael Ludwig has announced that the City of Vienna is now offering COVID-19 booster vaccinations to everyone in Vienna six months after they received their second dose. Read about the specifics of Vienna's booster vaccination campaign and where and when to get a third shot.
November 2, 2021
African Union and European Union to Strengthen Cooperation on COVID-19
Representatives of the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU), including Austrian Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, recently met in Kigali, Rwanda. The COVID-19 pandemic, especially unequal vaccine distribution, was a central topic of discussion. Read more about the meeting and the effort to increase vaccine access around the globe.
October 29, 2021
The Chancellor on National Day: "No island of the blessed"
Chancellor Schallenberg delivered an address on the Austrian National Day at the Heldenplatz in Vienna. The chancellor reflected on the successes of Austria since 1945 and its response to recent crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the terrorist attack in Vienna. Read what he said.
October 27, 2021
Austria's Strategy for the Upcoming European Council Meeting
Ahead of the European Council meeting in Brussels, Austrian Chancellor Schallenberg, EU Minister Edtstadler, and members of parliament laid out Austria's strategy for the meeting. Read their stances on the key issues they plan to raise in Brussels.
October 22, 2021
Asylum Seekers and Migrants Should Get Vaccinated
The Austrian Minister for Integration Susanne Raab recently visited a mobile vaccination station at the Austrian Integration Fund (ÖIF) Vienna to highlight the importance of making vaccines easily available to those with migration backgrounds. The ÖIF Integration Center Vienna has hosted the station multiple times and will do so again. Read more about the initiative and find out when the vaccination station will be at the ÖIF next.
October 18, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: Vienna Launches Vaccination Booster Offensive
Vienna is continuing its campaign to get people vaccinated against COVID-19 and has launched its offensive to administer the booster vaccination. Vienna's Mayor Michael Ludwig and other officials recently held a press conference to discuss Vienna's progress on vaccinations and announce the plan for the booster shots. Read more about where Vienna stands in the pandemic fight and the roadmap for boosters.
October 18, 2021
Austria Presents Financial Budget for 2022
Austrian Finance Minister Gernot Blümel presented Austria's draft financial budget for 2022 to the Austrian Parliament in the form of the annual budget speech. The plan includes tax reforms, budget increases for various ministries, estimates regarding the COViD-19 crisis, and more. Read some of the specific provisions in the budget outlined by the finance minister.
October 14, 2021
One Million Corona Vaccine Doses for Tehran
Due to the spread of the delta variant, Iran is currently suffering from the fifth and most severe wave of the coronavirus pandemic. To help assist Iran in the fight against the pandemic, Austria is providing the country with one million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Austrian Ministers Schallenberg, Nehammer, and Mückstein all expressed their support for the aid package.
September 8, 2021
Western Balkans: Further Austrian Corona Solidarity Campaign for all Six States
The final share of promised COVID-19 vaccines was delivered to Bosnia and Herzegovina, ending an EU solidarity campaign led by Austria. A total of 651,000 COVID-19 vaccines from the manufacturer BioNTech/Pfizer were provided to the six Western Balkan states: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
August 30, 2021
Covid Booster Vaccinations Start Plus More Vaccination Buses
Lower Austria has announced that it will begin administering COVID-19 booster shots for elderly and risk patients in nursing homes and clinics, an additional three vaccination buses will stop in various communities throughout Lower Austria, and the testing strategy is being expanded to include PCR-test vending machines.
August 30, 2021
Ukrainian-Austrian Solidarity: Schallenberg Attends Inaugural Summit of Crimea Platform and Delivers Vaccines
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal hosted Austrian Foreign Minister Schallenberg in Kiev for working talks. Schallenberg also attended the founding event of the Crimea Platform, which aims to reverse the 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia, and he delivered a shipment of AstraZeneca vaccines to aid Ukraine in the COVID-19 pandemic fight.
August 23, 2021 · Updated: August 23, 2021; 16:48
Latest Corona Update: The Austrian Green Passport - What Is It For?
The Green Passport is now being used by many people to provide proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test for COVID-19 in Austria and throughout the EU. Learn more about what the "Green Passport" is and what it is used for.
August 17, 2021
Austria Celebrates Ten-millionth COVID-19 Vaccination
Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein celebrated Austria administering its ten-millionth dose of the COVID-19 vaccines. The pair thanked everyone for their efforts and pleaded with the unvaccinated to go get vaccinated.
August 16, 2021
Solidarity With Bosnia and Herzegovina: Austria Sends 500,000 Vaccines
Austria has sent over 500,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to Bosnia and Herzegovina. This shipment is in addition to the 650,000 vaccines that were provided to the Western Balkan states by the EU. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, and Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein all expressed their pleasure in working with Austria's neighbors to end the coronavirus pandemic.
August 11, 2021
Austria Preparing for COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots
New studies suggest that a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot will be necessary to help end the pandemic. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Health Minister Wolgang Mückstein publicly stated that Austria is taking the necessary steps to prepare for administering a third dose of the vaccine once it is recommended by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
August 9, 2021
Where to Get a Paid Corona Test in Vienna
Vienna offers many COVID-19 testing options, both free and paid. Read about where to get paid PCR-tests, antigen tests, and or antibody tests for the coronavirus in Vienna.
August 4, 2021
Emergency Aid for Tunisia: Austria Delivers 50,000 Vaccines
Tunisia is receiving 50,000 AstraZeneca vaccines for COVID-19 from Austria. This comes as Tunisia is suffering heavily from the pandemic and has requested assistance.
August 3, 2021
Can I Get Free COVID-19 Tests at Vienna Airport and How Does It Work?
PCR and rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 are available at the Vienna International Airport. However, they are not free, and there is a process for getting one. Learn more about the specifics here.
July 29, 2021
Free PCR Tests in Lower Austria's Pharmacies Starting Immediately
Lower Austria's pharmacies are now offering free COVID-19 PCR tests. This will be especially helpful given the new requirements of a negative PCR test or proof of vaccination to enter clubs or discos. The offer will be provided in conjunction with the progress being made with vaccines. Read about how to get a test and the latest news about Lower Austria's vaccination efforts.
July 28, 2021
City of Vienna Offers Moderna Vaccine Without Registration
The City of Vienna is offering the Moderna vaccine without prior registration at the Austria Center Vienna (ACV) to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. This marks the fourth vaccination campaign offered by the City of Vienna.
July 26, 2021
Arab Ambassadors in Vienna and Economic Relations between their Countries and Austria
The Ambassadors from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Tunisia, and the UAE to Austria provided an economic overview of their countries and their relationship with Austria in an online forum with the Austro-Arab Chamber of Commerce (AACC).
July 11, 2021
Handy-Signatur in Austria: What It Is and How to Get It
The Handy-Signatur is an important tool to have in Austria. It is useful for accessing many online portals, including health insurance and the new Green Pass for proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more about it.
July 8, 2021
Austria's Latest COVID-19 Entry Requirements
Entry into Austria is becoming possible for more people, but there are still requirements that must be met first. Learn more about them.
July 7, 2021
Diplomats and International Community Become Eligeable for Vienna's Vaccination Programme
The Vienna vaccination portal introduced the "international community" category for selection. This means that all diplomats and staff of International Organisations have become eligeable for appointments to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Find out here about the exact modalities.
May 11, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: Additional Doses Speed Up Vaccination Campaign
Due to the additional Covid-19 vaccine doses from BionTech/Pfizer for the European Union, Austria is able to speed up its vaccination program. According to Austria's Chancellor Kurz, 6 million people in Austria can get their first vaccination by mid-July.
April 16, 2021
Austria Receives Additional 500,000 Covid-19 Vaccines in Q2
After successful negotiations between the European Commission and BionTech, the vaccine producer has agreed to deliver 50 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine in the second quarter of 2021, instead of in the fourth quarter. This means an additional 1 million doses for Austria which will be administered from April to June.
April 15, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: 2 Million Vaccinations Administered
Austria has administered two million Covid-19 vaccines. After recording the strongest vaccination day since the beginning of the vaccination process, around 1.4 million Austrians have already received their first shot, while 600,000 are fully vaccinated already.
April 9, 2021
Covid-19 in Austria: Vaccine Delivery Will be Tripled in Second Quarter
Austria's Health Minister Rudolf Anschober announces a massive increase of Covid-19 vaccinations for the second quarter. Due to the tripled delivery volume compared to the first quarter and longer intervals between the first and the second vaccination, the number of vaccinated Austrians will increase rapidly in the near future.
March 29, 2021
AstraZeneca Vaccine: Anschober Demands Clarity from EMA
Some of the biggest European countries, including Germany, Italy and France, have suspended the use of the Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca after reports of possible adverse health effects. Austria's Health Minister Rudolf Anschober does not see any evidence for causality between the vaccine and the health events and demands clarity from the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
March 16, 2021
Fourth Covid-19 Vaccine Approved: Austria Expects 2.5 Million Doses
The European Medicines Agency and the European Commission have approved a fourth Covid-19 vaccine. The vaccine developed by the Johnson & Johnson group only requires a single dose for proper immunization. Austria is to receive about 2.5 million doses by the end of 2021 with the first delivery expected already in the second quarter.
March 12, 2021
EU Commissioner Breton and Kurz Discuss Vaccine Production
In a meeting in Vienna, EU Commissioner Thierry Breton, who is responsible for vaccine production, Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Minister for Economic Affairs Margarete Schramböck discussed the possibilities of Covid-19 vaccine production in the EU and talked about other issues evolving around the different Coronavirus vaccines.
March 9, 2021
AstraZeneca Vaccine: Approval Also for Older People in Austria
Austria's National Immunization Panel (NIG) has decided to repeal its restrictions for the Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca. Previously, the panel had only released the vaccine for people from 18 to 64-years old, because of the lack of data for efficiency among older people. Now, however, studies have shown that the vaccine can be used for all age groups.
March 8, 2021
Israel, Denmark and Austria Agree on Covid-19 Cooperation
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz agreed on establishing a joint research and development foundation as well as on vaccine production. Chancellor Kurz stressed the importance of global cooperation in the fight against Covid-19.
March 5, 2021
Free Covid-19 Take-Home Tests Start March 1
Starting from March 1, another Covid-19 test opportunity will be available for Austrians. Pharmacies will offer five free take-home antigen tests per person per week. In addition to the free tests conducted at more than 900 pharmacies, testing conducted at Austrian businesses, and various testing lanes, the take-home tests will be yet another opportunity of self-assessment.
February 25, 2021
Schallenberg Delighted About Delivery of Vaccinations to Ghana
The international COVAX initiative shows its first remarkable success. 600,000 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine by AstraZeneca were delivered to West Africa, specifically to Ghana. Austria's Foreign Minister, an active supporter of COVAX, emphasizes the importance of cooperation and solidarity in the fight against the pandemic.
February 25, 2021