Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced on Sunday that in February, the country will become the first in Europe to make COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for adults. He acknowledged that this was a “touchy subject.” Those who do not comply, according to
Nehammer, a conservative who took office in December, will face a hefty fine.
Since proposals for necessary vaccinations were first declared last year, Austrians have been debating the issue. To date, 71.5 percent of eligible Austrians have received their vaccinations, a figure that is several percentage points lower than that of many of the country’s EU neighbours. Austrian chancellor acknowledged that the decision involved “a highly sensitive subject.” But the decision comes after careful consideration.
“We will decide on compulsory vaccination as planned. It will come into force at the beginning of February” for adults, he told a news conference. He advised that after an “entry phase” for the policy, constraints on those who declined to take the vaccine. They would be “tightened accordingly” in mid-March. Encompassing fines of 600-3,600 euros ($684-$4,100). Around 27,000 people revolted against the unavoidable vaccination measure on Saturday. Opponents call the compulsion an infringement of one’s personal liberty.
On Thursday, Parliament is ready to legislate a bill. The bill was initially applying to all people aged 14 and up, but will now solely pertain to adults. Pregnant women and those who can demonstrate a medical privilege will be an exception. Only the far-right opposes a policy that the administration has progressed extensively backing for. With a population of nine million people, Austria has seen nearly 14,000 COVID-19-related deaths and 1.4 million cases. Compulsory COVID-19 vaccinations are still uncommon around the world. Though they are compulsory in Ecuador, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Indonesia, and Micronesia.