Health
No specific inoculations or health precautions are necessary for
a trip to Austria. Minor complaints can be dealt with at any
pharmacy ( Apotheke ); pharmacy hours are usually Monday to
Friday 8am to noon and 2 to 6pm and Saturday 8am to noon.
Pharmacies take turns in staying open at lunchtimes, weekends and
overnight. Details of which pharmacies are open at these times are
posted in all pharmacy windows, outside the police station and in
local newspapers.
For serious complaints, head for the casualty department of the
nearest hospital ( Krankenhaus ), or call an ambulance (tel
144). As members of the EU, citizens of the UK and Ireland
receive free emergency hospital treatment in Austria on production
of their passport, though there may be a charge for any medication.
Nationals of other countries should check whether their government
has a reciprocal health agreement with Austria, or whether they are
covered by their personal medical insurance.
The best readily accessible source of information about
travel health matters is www.cdc.gov operated by the US
government's Centers for Disease Control. In Britain, pick up the
Department of Health's free booklet Health Advice for
Travellers , available at post offices, by phone on
0800/555777, or at www.open.gov.uk/doh/hat . The booklet
includes an application for Form E111, which entitles all EU
citizens to free medical care across the EU.
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