In the past few weeks, Austria has hit many new Covid-19 records none of them good. On 18 November there were 15,145 new cases recorded, the largest number seen since the pandemic began. And the seven-day average for new confirmed cases per 100,000 people is at 1,395, more than double the rates in countries such as Germany, France and the UK.
On Friday the Austrian chancellor, Alexander Schallenberg, announced the countrys fourth national lockdown, beginning today and lasting between 10 and 20 days. This makes Austria only the second European country, after Latvia, to impose lockdown measures since vaccines became widely available earlier this year. Going even further, Schallenberg announced that Austria would also be the first in Europe to bring in compulsory vaccination beginning on 1 February 2022.
Schallenberg and his health minister, Wolfgang Mckstein, had previously said that lockdown measures would return only for the unvaccinated. They hoped this might be enough to bring the vaccination rate up and case numbers down. While the percentage of Austrians in receipt of first doses has crept up to 69%, from below 60% at the beginning of August, once intensive care units in the states of Upper Austria and Salzburg became full, another nationwide lockdown became inevitable. And a vaccine mandate once an unthinkable option has been broached.
Public discussion about a vaccine mandate began over the summer. But the former chancellor Sebastian Kurz resisted the idea, preferring to rely on appeals to responsibility and individual choice. By the summers end, however, the country seemed to have stalled at max vax, and its share of the population fully vaccinated against Covid-19 had fallen behind the EU average.
How a broad vaccine mandate could be enforced remains unclear though non-compliance could mean a fine of as much as 3,000, cabinet minister Karoline Edtstadler has said and it may be liable to challenge on constitutional grounds either at the domestic or European level.
Recent opinion polling indicates a slim majority in Austria in support of a vaccine mandate. When asked to choose between a potpourri of possible Covid-19 countermeasures, 41% of Austrians plumped for compulsory vaccination the most popular measure ahead of a lockdown, nightly curfew and vaccine mandate for particular professions. And 53% of viewers of the news channel Puls24 said they favoured a vaccine mandate, with 44% against.
But while a majority of citizens may actually support a mandate, Austrian society is deeply divided between those who have accepted vaccination measures thus far, and a hardened, unvaccinated residuum caught up in conspiracy theories and false information, and attracted to far-right politics.
On Saturday, demonstrations in Vienna against the new lockdown and mandate announcements attracted 40,000 people, according to police estimates. Convicted neo-Nazi Gottfried Kssel and identitarian leader Martin Sellner were among those taking part. Several demonstrators wore yellow Stars of David or carried placards that compared the mandate to the Holocaust.
Austrias low vaccination rate and lashings of anti-vax and Covid-sceptic sentiment are reflected in its party politics. Austria has not one but two openly Covid-sceptic parties: the Freedom party (FP) and a new movement, the People-Freedom-Fundamental Rights (MFG) party, which won representation in the Upper Austrian state parliament in regional elections in September. The FP leader Herbert Kickl prone to throwing about terms such as vaccine apartheid and two-class society has promoted the horse deworming drug ivermectin as a treatment. Kickl makes a point of his unvaccinated status, and last week revealed that he had tested positive for Covid-19.
But there are also particular political, geographical and cultural differences that account for Austrias relatively low rate of Covid-19 vaccination. The government encouraged but never at any point attempted to force the hand of the unvaccinated. This was particularly evident during the September elections in Upper Austria, where the unvaccinated formed a large pool of potential voters and a vaccine mandate was perceived to be a vote-losing issue, a hill on which no party wished to die.
There are particularly low rates of jab uptake in more isolated and disconnected rural areas and less affluent, outer districts of Vienna in which the proportion of residents born outside Austria is larger. It is also worth noting that Austrians use alternative medicines, from homeopathy to home remedies, much more than in Britain. The health minister, for one, is a GP and a qualified practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine. Though Austrias public insurance-based system produces better health outcomes than the NHS, it is not revered in the same way.
Austria has been a harbinger of European Covid-19 policy before. On 8 November, in a vain attempt to bring the case numbers under control, it introduced a so-called 2G rule at venues such as restaurants, cinemas and gyms, meaning only those who had been double-jabbed or had recovered from Covid-19 in the previous six months could enter. Where Austria led, others followed, including many German states. Nations that continue to struggle with outbreaks and stubbornly low vaccination rates will be watching Austrias vaccine mandate rollout closely, possibly as a roadmap of things to come.
Liam Hoare is Europe editor for Moment magazine and author of the Vienna Briefing newsletter
This article was amended on 23 November 2021. Due to an editing error, the infection rate in Austria was understated by a factor of 10.
Read more:
Austria is showing that vaccine mandates are no longer unthinkable - The Guardian
- Understanding Menopause and its Symptoms | Menopause Treatment Options - Medriva - December 28th, 2023 [December 28th, 2023]
- Breast cancer survivor Jayne Pritchard talks alternative therapies over tea - MidlandToday - December 28th, 2023 [December 28th, 2023]
- 12 unusual ways Israelis are volunteering during the war - ISRAEL21c - December 28th, 2023 [December 28th, 2023]
- Complementary and alternative medicine - NHS - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Alternative Treatment (CAM) for MS: Types, Side Effects & Cost - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Complementary and alternative medicine | History & Facts - December 26th, 2022 [December 26th, 2022]
- Alternative medicine: Definition, examples, benefits, and risks - October 28th, 2022 [October 28th, 2022]
- Alternative Medicine: The Science Behind 10 Alternative Therapies - October 21st, 2022 [October 21st, 2022]
- Detoxification (alternative medicine) - Wikipedia - October 21st, 2022 [October 21st, 2022]
- Alternative Approaches to Mental Health and Wellbeing - Psychiatric Times - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- New practice focuses on dental sleep medicine, providing an alternative for patients who use CPAP machines - PennLive - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Dr. Deepak Chopra Aligns with Plant-Based Therapeutics Company ProVEDA to Highlight Topical Pain Relief Solutions - Yahoo Finance - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- True REST Float Spa Offers Free Floatation Therapy Session to Veterans - AccessWire - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Youve been told you need surgery for degenerative disc disease and stenosis of the spine. Now what? - Sonoran News - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Can you take Paxlovid and heart disease medications at the same time? - Medical News Today - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Kardashian fans think theyve unlocked Kourtneys secret to hiding her pregnancy after spotting key detai... - The US Sun - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Cabinet approves B5bn for 'Andaman International Health Center' - The Phuket News - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Eye health and dynamics of the modern world - The Citizen - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- The Holistic Review on Occurrence, Biology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma - Cureus - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- 10 Deeper Causes of Tinnitus, and How to Treat It - The Epoch Times - October 15th, 2022 [October 15th, 2022]
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) - GoodTherapy - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- India's alternative medicine industry grows, boosted by COVID-19 pandemic - CNA - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- QC Kinetix (Charlotte) Offers Alternative Treatments for Knee Pain and Sports Injuries - Yahoo Finance - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Plant Extracts Market is expected to generate a revenue of USD 85.09 Billion by 2030, Globally, at 6.33% CAGR: Verified Market Research - Yahoo... - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Neuroplasticity Nonsense Is Full of Red Flags - Science Based Medicine - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Diabetics won't be made to pay for alternative medicines, Pharmac says - Stuff - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- Lili Reinhart Becomes A Reiki Master: My Journey Into Reiki Healing Cant Be Simplified - IMDb - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- The DRIPBaR is Coming to Clarksville, TN on Oct 16, 2022 - PR Web - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- How Dr. Oz Boosted an Osteopath Who Became a Top Spreader of Covid Misinformation Mother Jones - Mother Jones - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- World Arthritis Day: Arthritis and Women - Times of India - October 13th, 2022 [October 13th, 2022]
- What Is Alternative Medicine? - American Cancer Society - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Herbal medicine: Types, uses, and safety - Medical News Today - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- WCI Health LLC, Your Alternative Health and Wellness Hub Will Be a Vendor and Presenter at Wonderland Miami by Microdose - StreetInsider.com - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- The Viral Real - Journal #130 October 2022 - E-Flux - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Pregabalin Market to Grow by USD 153.03 Mn from 2022 to 2026, Driven by Presence of Large Patient Pool Related To Neuropathic Pain - Technavio - Yahoo... - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Woman, 37, dies after herbal supplements led to liver failure: coroner - Insider - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- What Is Vitiligo? All About This Unique Skin Condition That Impacts Skin Pigmentation, and How To Treat It - Parade Magazine - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Herbalist's Resource Guide to Cannabis and Other Plants That Can Prevent Cancer - PR Web - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Tasly Pharmaceuticals to Exhibit at BioJapan 2022 -- Bio-Pharmaceutical Company to Join with Maryland-Bas - Benzinga - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- "Sh*t, I just want to get better. Thats what pushed me to do it, and it worked well" Chauncey Billups and other NBA stars on acupuncture -... - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- People Science and Symbiome Partner to study the microbiome in the real world - Benzinga - October 6th, 2022 [October 6th, 2022]
- Bob Newhart Proves 93 Is the New 39 - Eat This, Not That - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Medical cannabis could be better alternative to opioids in managing pain - The Tribune India - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Woman killed by herbal remedies she took to treat arthritis - Evening Standard - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Get To Know The Best Natural Adderall Alternatives - Over The Counter and Non Prescription - Outlook India - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- King Charles III Has a History of Promoting 'Quackery' Alternative Medicine - Newsweek - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Remedy Place: The Fashionable Social Wellness Club Where You Can Bring All Your Friends - Vogue - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Thailand heightens its healthcare hub ambition with integrative medicine - PR Newswire UK - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- How bogus cancer treatments prey on the most vulnerable - Coda Story - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Management of Chronic Migraine in Children and Adolescents | PHMT - Dove Medical Press - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Mouth Taping: Is It Safe? - Health Essentials - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Queen Elizabeth: Seven things you need to know about the Queens passing - Toronto Star - September 9th, 2022 [September 9th, 2022]
- Building an Alternative Medical Economy in Response to 'Tyranny': Telehealth CEO - The Epoch Times - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Sesame oil: Nutrition, benefits, and more - Medical News Today - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Regenerative Medicine: An alternative to surgery and pills | Loop Cayman Islands - Loop News Cayman - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Find Euphoria: the luxury Greek spa retreat to visit now - Tatler - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- What Is Synthetic Urine & How Does It Help To Pass A Drug Test? - The Island Now - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- The science behind the healthtech startup must be understood well - Express Healthcare - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Best-in-class second-line HIV treatment rolls out in Zambia and Nigeria - Clinton Health Access Initiative - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Therapeutic effect of HFNC and NIV in patients with AECOPD | COPD - Dove Medical Press - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Five years after Kymriah: Ensuring the next cell and gene therapies reach patients - STAT - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Meet these renowned healthcare professionals who assist us in leading healthier lives - Oneindia - August 30th, 2022 [August 30th, 2022]
- Diet and Vitiligo: The Story So Far - Cureus - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Fatphobia Sucks, Especially If You're Trying to Have a Baby - VICE - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Orthomolecular Medicine, A Predictive Tool - Nation World News - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- COVID-19 vaccines and the Nuremberg Code - Science Based Medicine - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Bolstering the Blood-CNS Barrier Could Lead to New Treatment Approach for Multiple Sclerosis - University of Utah Health Care - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- Lockdowns Postponed the Inevitable. Is That a Bad Thing? - Science Based Medicine - August 29th, 2022 [August 29th, 2022]
- The Impact of Complementary and Alternative Medicine on Insomnia: A Systematic Review - Cureus - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Ayurveda As Alternative Medicine: Research And Development To Be Taken Ahead By Heal In India - Entrepreneur - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- French Doctolib platform accused of 'promoting alternative medicine' - The Connexion - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Best Ways for Treating This Condition - Healthline - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Ellen White reveals "traumatic" incident that played huge role in her retirement - GIVEMESPORT - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Curcumin and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Does It Help? - Healthline - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- In Denial: When Patients Don't Want to Believe They Have Cancer - Medscape - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Piotr Szyhalski depicts living through COVID-19 and other extreme historical phenomena - MinnPost - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Researchers identify chemo alternative for targeted treatment of leukemia patients - Devdiscourse - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- India Can Show The World The Right Path For Medical Pluralism - News18 - August 27th, 2022 [August 27th, 2022]
- Complementary and Integrative Medicine - Reeve Foundation - Christopher Reeve Foundation - August 23rd, 2022 [August 23rd, 2022]
- Back pain: Exploring alternative treatments - Health - Life & Style - Ahram Online - August 23rd, 2022 [August 23rd, 2022]