Strong shingles vaccine demand exposes supply problems in Lower Austria

Lower Austria has recorded 124,000 shingles vaccinations since the free programme began in November 2025, ORF reported. The Austrian Medical Chamber described the strong demand as an encouraging signal because shingles can be painful and long-lasting.

The vaccine is available free of charge to people aged 60 and over. However, doctors have repeatedly faced difficulties ordering additional doses from the federal government, the chamber said.

The chamber is calling for available supplies to be distributed among Austria’s provinces and doctors’ practices according to transparent criteria.

The Health Ministry said further doses were being purchased for the coming months. Health State Secretary Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig said demand had been high since the vaccine, which costs 500 euros, became free of charge.

Austria is in contact with the provinces every two weeks, the ministry said. Because the vaccine is produced internationally and purchased on the global market, supplies depend on available production capacity. The government also has a responsibility to use taxpayers’ money carefully, Königsberger-Ludwig said, adding that it could not buy unlimited quantities at any price.

The public vaccination programme is scheduled to run until 2028.