Mandatory vaccination against coronavirus, Yes or no? It is the debate that some countries have raised and that has already reached the heart of the European Union.
Ursula von der Leyen herself, president of the European Commission, has put on the table the possibility of imposing immunizationn mandatory against COVID-19 if so agreed between member states.
“I think it is understandable and appropriate to have this discussion now: How can we encourage (vaccination) and potentially think about mandatory vaccination within the EU. It is necessary to discuss it and have a common approach“, has indicated in a press conference from Brussels.
Although von der Leyen – a doctor by training – has not wanted to give her “personal” opinion on this matter, she has regretted that vaccines that save lives are not being used properly in some places. “And there are still countries they have a very low vaccination rate.
The data collected by Brussels suggest that 76% of the adult population residing within the EU have already received the guideline complete vaccination, which represents 66% of the total population. It follows from these figures that still there are about 150 million citizens -the majority belonging to the target population- who have not yet been vaccinated.
Faced with this situation, some governments have already shown their willingness to study the mandatory vaccine. In some, such as Austria, they have already announced that the measure will come into force in the coming months.
Austria
The Austrian Government has insisted on its plan to impose the mandatory vaccination as the only alternative to combat the pandemic. A measure that, according to some local media, could result in fines of up to 7,200 euros to those who do not comply with it.
The Executive, made up of the Popular Party and the Greens, intends to present the bill next week, so that within a month it will be approved by Parliament and can enter into force in February. “Obligatory vaccination is safe,” said the Minister of Health, the environmentalist Wolfgang Mückstein, stating that “there is no other alternative.”
Key issues should first be clarified, such as the minimum age from which the obligation will govern, how many doses of a vaccine will be required, whether the validity of the law will be limited to a specific period, and what penalties those who do not comply will face.
Italy
The Italian Executive was a pioneer in imposing a measure along these lines last October. And it is that, for two months all workers have to present the COVID passport to be able to access your job.
Thus, employees of all companies -both public and private- have to present a certificate of vaccination or recovery to work.
In addition, just a week ago the Government announced that immunization -no longer the passport- will be mandatory from December 15 for the health personnel, social health, teachers, police and military.
In the transalpine country they also ask for the COVID certificate to access the hotel and restaurant establishments, nightlife venues, sporting events and all kinds of shows. A measure that will be extended to sports activities held outdoors from December 6.
Germany
The future Chancellor of Germany, the Social Democrat Olaf Scholz, has assured that he is in favor of vaccination against COVID-19 is mandatory, which anticipates a possible tightening of measures in the coming weeks, once the new tripartite government takes office.
Scholz has justified his defense of mandatory immunization by the low population rate with the complete schedule – 68.6% -. Until now, both his Social Democratic Party (SPD), his future coalition partners, Greens and Liberals, and Merkel’s conservative bloc had argued that the vaccine would always be voluntary.
The purpose of the future chancellor is to give the deputies freedom to vote, so that the corresponding law has the maximum parliamentary support, regardless of the support it gets from the government ranks in the Bundestag.
In this country the COVID passport it is also mandatory to access public transport, to all restaurants, nightlife and cultural entities, such as museums.
France
The population over 65 years old will have to be vaccinated with the third dose to obtain the COVID certificate. A measure that will come into force on December 15 and indirectly implies the obligation of the booster vaccination for this group.
In the Gallic country it is necessary to have the complete vaccination schedule, from a certificate recovery or a negative test to access most public spaces: bars, restaurants, cinemas, theaters, public transport, hospitals …
Although, the national government has not ruled on a possible mandatory vaccination for the entire population.
Portugal
Portugal has once again declared a state of calamity due to the increase in coronavirus infections and the COVID certificate is already mandatory to access bars, restaurants and gyms, among other public places, as well as to access the country by air or land.
Spain
The Spanish Government maintains that vaccination will continue to be voluntary and not apply for the COVID passport at the national level because, they consider, with the current vaccination figures it is not necessary. In our country, 89.3% of the target population already has the complete guideline.
Although, there are several autonomous communities that have decided to impose the aforementioned certificate to access closed public spaces: Galicia, the Basque Country, Navarra, Aragon, Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Murcia and the Balearic Islands.
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
