FIRST IN EUROPE: AUSTRIA TO MAKE COVID JABS COMPULSORY FROM FEBRUARY: CHANCELLOR

Sun 16 January 2022:

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced on Sunday that in February, the country will become the first in Europe to make Covid-19 vaccines mandatory for adults. He agreed that this was a “sensitive topic.”

Those who do not comply, according to Nehammer, a conservative who took office in December, will face a hefty fine.

“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.

Austria has seen debate on the issue ever since plans for compulsory vaccinations were first announced last year.

To date, 71.5 percent of eligible Austrians have had their vaccinations, a figure that is several percentage points lower than that of several of the country’s EU neighbors.

Nehammer acknowledged the decision covered “a totally sensitive topic” but said it followed careful consideration.

He warned that after an “entry phase” for the policy, restrictions would be “tightened accordingly” in mid-March on those holding out against the jab, including fines of between 600-3,600 euros ($684-$4,100).

Around 27,000 individuals protested the mandatory vaccination policy on Saturday. Opponents call the requirement a violation of personal liberty.

On Thursday Parliament is due to pass into law a bill which initially was set to cover all people from 14 upwards but now will cover adults only.

Exceptions will be made for pregnant women and those who can show they have a medical exemption.

The government has widespread support for a policy which only the far-right is opposing.

In a population of nine million people, Austria has seen nearly 14,000 Covid-related deaths and 1.4 million illnesses.

Compulsory Covid vaccines are still rare around the world, though they have been implemented in Ecuador, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Indonesia, and Micronesia.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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