Corona pandemic: MPs promote compulsory vaccination from the age of 50

Corona pandemic: MPs promote compulsory vaccination from the age of 50

Whether there will be compulsory vaccination against Corona in the fall is an open question. Now there is a draft aimed at older people – the authors are also making an appeal to another group of MPs.

The draft law for the possible introduction of compulsory vaccination from the age of 50 is the third formulated position of a group of parliamentarians on the controversial topic.

According to the group around the FDP MP Andrew Ullmann, all people over the age of 18 who have not yet been vaccinated or have recovered should be given mandatory advice. Then compulsory vaccination for people over the age of 50 should be introduced – but only “subject to an assessment of the situation in autumn 2022”, according to the draft presented in Berlin on Wednesday.

The draft is to be discussed in the Bundestag, as well as a draft for compulsory vaccination from the age of 18 and a motion against compulsory vaccination without party pressure. The Union faction had also submitted its own application, which initially only provides for a vaccination register and then a graduated plan with a possible vaccination obligation for certain groups depending on the pandemic situation.

Decision before Easter?

SPD faction leader Rolf Mützenich had shown himself certain about a decision before Easter the day before. In January, Mützenich said the process would be completed in March. Observers doubt that one of the motions will get a majority. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (both SPD) are in favor of general vaccination. The background is that this is intended to prevent a new corona wave in autumn.

The draft by Ullmann’s group provides for all adults to be informed by their health insurance companies about counseling and vaccination options. “By September 15, 2022, these people must have either proof of vaccination or recovery or proof of having received medical vaccination advice,” according to the draft. Also from September 15, the Bundestag should be able to stipulate that people over 50 must have proof of vaccination or recovery.

Several co-signatories emphasized their expertise in healthcare professions and their origins in countries with many opponents or skeptics of vaccination. MP Paula Piechotta (Greens) said they had in mind that compulsory vaccination should also be feasible in regions with low vaccination rates.

«Thoroughness before speed»

Ullmann defended the somewhat later submission of the draft compared to the draft for compulsory vaccination from 18. This was presented on Friday. The Federal Ministry of Health cooperated early on, there were no delays, but thoroughness comes before speed, said the FDP politician.

The group for mandatory vaccinations from the age of 18 also wants health insurance companies to first inform all adults about counseling and vaccination options. Anyone who has not yet been vaccinated should, according to her, need three vaccinations or have been infected. “Anyone who is not fully vaccinated on October 1st must expect a fine,” says their draft.

In a motion against the vaccination requirement by members of parliament around Wolfgang Kubicki (FDP), on the other hand, it says that the Bundestag should determine “that there will be no general vaccination requirement against SARS-CoV-2 in the Federal Republic of Germany”.

At the same time, these parliamentarians want to appeal to the population “that as many people as possible continue to protect themselves against COVID-19 in the best possible way by taking advantage of the recommended offers of a corona vaccination”. The FDP MP Konstantin Kuhle, who belongs to the Ullmann Group, therefore emphasized that their hand was stretched out to the Kubicki Group. The colleagues should reconsider whether they could support the obligation to vaccinate from the age of 50 with reservations.

Source: Stern

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