German carriers have warned that the rapid introduction of compulsory vaccination against COVID-19 could lead to a shortage of drivers and problems with the transport of goods.
Imposing a vaccination obligation should not lead to thousands being denied access to Germany because they have received vaccines such as Sputnik V that are not approved in Europe, said Frank Huster, who heads the German Association of Freight Forwarders and Logistics.
Before the introduction of compulsory vaccination, Huster called for discussions on whether unvaccinated drivers from abroad could be offered vaccination in Germany and how to deal with vaccines not approved in the EU, DPA and BTA reported.
“We are not against compulsory vaccination,” he said, adding that he was very worried that the industry would lose more staff.
According to the association, there is a shortage of between 60,000 and 80,000 truck drivers in Germany, an increase of 15,000 each year. There are not enough staff to hire from Eastern European countries, where drivers are also scarce.
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