With the Omicron variant of coronavirus doing the rounds, health authorities are suggesting various measures, taking booster shots being among one of those, or getting a third vaccination dose. Besides these preventive measures, the least to be done is getting fully vaccinated to have some kind of immunity against the virus.
However, a certain population globally is resisting to get vaccinated due to skepticism. This is detrimental, given new variants mutating in no time and susceptibility of immunodeficient people and elderly people to the disease.
In a move to maximise the number of vaccinated people in the country, the Austria government mandated individuals to get vaccinated, citing its plans to do so and charging fines worth 3,600 euros or $4,071 (roughly Rs 3.08 lakh) on the ones not doing so.
Austria Govt on Vaccination Drive
The western European country on Thursday gave details of its plan to make coronavirus vaccines compulsory, adding that it would charge fines upto 3,600 euros every 3 months on those unwilling to get vaccinated, stated Reuters.
The drive would apply to individuals aged 14 years and more.
Austria lies among the lowest rates of vaccinated countries in western Europe, with about 68% of the population fully vaccinated. This is because many countrymen are sceptical about the Covid-19 vaccines.
It is also the first European Union (EU) country to make vaccinations compulsory for all, and has instituted a fourth nationwide lockdown, as the number of infections set records three weeks ago.
“We do not want to punish people who are not vaccinated. We want to win them over and convince them to get vaccinated,” stated the constitutional affairs minister of the country, ??Karoline Edtstadler.
Vaccine Mandate by Austria
The mandatory clause for everyone aged 14 years and above put in place by the Austrian government is yet to be approved by parliament, and as the two opposition parties support it, the mandate is most likely known to pass.
The vaccination drive will commence in February and last through January 2024.
According to the country’s Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein, there will be quarterly vaccination deadlines, while the authorities will check a central vaccination register to see if members of the public are in it.
“If that is not the case, proceedings will be brought. In regular proceedings the amount of the fine is 3,600 euros”, added the Health minister.
“As an alternative, the authorities have the option to impose a fine in shorter proceedings immediately after the vaccination deadline. Here the amount of the fine is 600 euros,” he added.
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