What a general corona vaccination could look like is now becoming clearer. MPs have outlined their plans. But there are still skeptics about compulsory vaccination – even among virologists.
Politicians and health experts continue to discuss controversially about a general corona vaccination requirement in Germany. The virologist Klaus Stöhr currently considers such a vaccination “not expedient”.
On the other hand, the chairman of the board of the World Medical Association, Frank Ulrich Montgomery, spoke out in favor of compulsory vaccination. “The application for a general obligation to vaccinate from the age of 18 for a period of two years seems to me to be the most sensible thing,” he told the “Rheinische Post”. The sanctions for those who are still unvaccinated are still unclear to him. “There will be no compulsory vaccinations – doctors are not available for this. That’s why the technical quality of the law is also important here, »said Montgomery.
Vote probably in March
Several MPs from the SPD, Greens and FDP propose in a key issues paper that vaccination should be compulsory for all adults over 18 “with permanent residence in Germany”. It would be fulfilled with three vaccinations and limited to the end of next year. According to the plans, anyone who does not provide proof will face fines, if necessary several times. So-called compulsory detention should be avoided. The possible introduction of compulsory vaccination is expected to be voted on in the Bundestag in March. MEPs should cast their votes without being forced to belong to a parliamentary group and can join cross-party group motions.
In another motion, parliamentarians around the FDP health politician Andrew Ullmann advocate a middle way – they advocate a mandatory professional and personal consultation for all unvaccinated adults. If the necessary vaccination rate is not achieved after a certain period of time, an obligation from the age of 50 could take effect. A group led by FDP Vice Wolfgang Kubicki, on the other hand, wants to prevent compulsory vaccination in general. The AfD has also submitted an application against compulsory vaccination.
The general manager of the Association of Towns and Municipalities, Gerd Landsberg, told the “Rheinische Post”: If vaccination is compulsory, then for all adults, not just for the elderly.” However, compulsory vaccination is only reasonable if it can also be reasonably implemented. “Before that, it must be clarified how the obligation to vaccinate is to be controlled.”
Stöhr: compulsory vaccination “not without alternative”
The virologist Stöhr told the “Fuldaer Zeitung” that compulsory vaccination could be a good way to increase vaccination rates. “But she is not without alternative,” he said. “In addition, it is not without side effects.” Stöhr advised involving more sociologists and psychologists in order to be able to make targeted vaccination offers with a better knowledge of the vaccine skeptics.
Many people who did not get vaccinated are more vaccine skeptics than vaccination opponents, said Stöhr. “If you know which sections of the population are involved, you can address them specifically.” He also pointed out that compulsory vaccination would not take effect before the end of winter. “It would be too late for this season. With the omicron wave, 40 to 50 percent may gain natural immunity.”
Meanwhile, Montgomery sharply criticized the law that had already been passed to introduce a facility-related corona vaccination requirement. «How can you make such a law and then not worry about the possibility of a meaningful application and implementation? The technical quality of this government’s legislation is poor here,” he told the Rheinische Post.
Health authorities overwhelmed with vaccination control
Employees in facilities with vulnerable people such as clinics and nursing homes must prove by March 15, 2022 that they have been vaccinated against Corona or have recovered from Corona. Health authorities had declared that they felt overwhelmed with the control of facility-related vaccination requirements.
The Federal Association of Physicians in the Public Health Service (BVÖGD) announced that it supported the facility-related compulsory vaccination, but referred to the burden on the health authorities. They assumed that on average up to ten percent of employees could not provide clear proof of vaccination or recovery and would therefore be reported to the health department. The legislator is required to clarify the responsibilities, procedures and assessments for the implementation of the vaccination requirement and to regulate them uniformly for the federal states and municipalities.
Source: Stern
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