Corona vaccination

In addition, two percent had already received a vaccination. The number of those who have been fully immunized is likely to have risen again since the survey. For the survey, data from the National Vaccination Register were linked with those from university and population statistics. For foreign students, the vaccination probabilities were also estimated on the basis of ECDC and WHO data.

There are no major differences between the higher education sectors: the vaccination rate is the same at public universities 80 percent, at the technical colleges 79 percent and at the teacher training colleges 78 percent. Only the private universities are just below this with 75 percent. The most frequently vaccinated at the end of August were students at medical universities with a rate of 88 percent.

According to university locations, those in Lower Austria (82 percent), Vienna (81 percent) and Tyrol (80 percent) above the 80 percent mark. It is followed by Styria, Burgenland and Vorarlberg with 79 percent each, Upper Austria (75 percent), Salzburg (73 percent) and Carinthia (71 percent).

The Faßmann emphasized that a high immunization rate allows for a presence operation as well as a student life outside of it. He again rejected an extension of the 3G rule applicable at all universities to include mandatory vaccination. The rector of the University of Linz and law professor Meinhard Lukas would also have constitutional concerns if there were no compulsory vaccinations in other areas, but if attending a public educational offer was made dependent on it. “It would also send the wrong signal to react to these fantastic vaccination numbers.”

The continuous implementation of the 3G rule at universities, although stricter in some areas Requirements apply (e.g. 2G in medicine or 2.5G at some locations), Faßmann expressly welcomed. On the other hand, he criticized the many different regulations of the individual universities with regard to lecture hall occupancy. In some cases, all seats may be occupied, in some cases only according to a checkerboard pattern or on the basis of stuck-on dots. “I would ask the autonomous universities to come to a convergence process.” He already understands that there are different structural conditions and access options. Nevertheless, one had to come to a standardization.

The chairwoman of the university conference (uniko), Sabine Seidler, was “annoyed” about the late announcement of the vaccination rate . If the universities are expected to have the greatest possible presence and uniform rules, they do not understand why you only receive this information on the day you start your studies. For future planning, the vaccination quota will of course be taken into account, but Seidler believes that an immediate change in the applicable regulations is out of the question. “This is simply not possible for logistical and legal reasons.” Corresponding planning would always require advance notice.

The deputy chairman of the Austrian Students’ Union (ÖH), Naima Gobara, pointed out in the press conference that the vaccination quota of students is wide is above the average of other population groups who have previously had the opportunity to immunize. In addition to the return to face-to-face teaching, however, it also required a functioning hybrid operation – including the availability of online offers. The NEOS advocate unrestricted classroom teaching with 3G certification at all universities.