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In more and more European countries, there are now many more freedoms for those immunized against coronavirus than for others. But the decision in favor of the vaccine remains personal – the authorities cannot impose it.
France: Macron called on his fellow citizens to be vaccinated
In a televised address that drew more viewers than the final of the European Football Championship, French President Emmanuel Macron sought to boost the country’s vaccination campaign. The measures he proposes apply mainly to health workers: if hospital and nursing workers are not vaccinated by September, they risk losing work you are. With their call for compulsory vaccination, the French authorities are responding to the spread of the particularly contagious Delta mutation. And 39 percent of the country’s population is still not fully immunized.
At the same time, the government passed a law on the introduction of a health passport, which is expected to increase the population’s readiness for immunization. From today, visits to cultural institutions and places to spend free time are possible only for those who are fully immunized, those who have had the disease and those who have a negative test. From the beginning of August, the passport becomes mandatory for visits to restaurants and bars.
Over the weekend, tens of thousands of French people protested against the latest government measures against the coronavirus. The cabinet considers these measures inevitable in the context of the oncoming fourth wave of the disease – on Sunday, authorities reported 12,500 new infections, or twice as many as last week.
Germany: There will be no compulsory vaccination
Recently, after reports of compulsory vaccinations in other countries, the German authorities made it clear that they were in the exact opposite position and did not intend to force their compatriots to be immunized against their will. On July 14, Chancellor Angela Merkel said unusually firmly: “We do not intend to go the way of France. We have already said that there will be no compulsory vaccination.”
But – even with the strongest desire of the authorities, the conduct of universal compulsory vaccination in Germany is unrealistic. The right to physical integrity of citizens is enshrined in the constitution. There are no exceptions – when children go to kindergarten or school, they must be immunized against smallpox. Employees of public and medical institutions, as well as educators and teachers, must also be vaccinated. Refugees and asylum seekers are also required to be vaccinated against smallpox and must take care of it no later than one month after settling in a dormitory.
Great Britain: quarantine restrictions have been lifted
The presentation of the England team at the European Football Championship thrilled hundreds of thousands of fans. But the crowd at Wembley Stadium without masks and without distance caused criticism around the world. In the UK itself, 85 per cent of new coronavirus cases are due to the highly contagious Delta mutation.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on his compatriots to be careful. A few weeks ago, the government introduced compulsory vaccination for workers in nursing homes. This requirement also applies to hairdressers and other service workers, as well as to volunteers in the public sector. At the same time, under the pressure of public opinion, the British Prime Minister one after another lifted the quarantine restrictions – they were finally lifted on July 19, which became “Freedom Day” for the British. However, new infections are not insignificant – more than 50,000 a day.
Greece: The number of infections is growing
The Greek prime minister is also trying to control the pandemic in the country through firm statements and decisions. “We do not intend to close the country again because of the attitude towards vaccinations,” Kyriakos Mitsotakis said. Greeks will soon be allowed to stay indoors in restaurants and cultural institutions only if they are vaccinated. Medical staff and workers in nursing homes will also have to be immunized, otherwise they will be fired.
Greeks are not overly outraged by the demands of the authorities. This is probably due to the fact that most consider them really necessary: in addition to the significant easing of restrictions introduced earlier in the fight against the pandemic, the number of new infections in the country has risen sharply in the last two weeks. The latest speculation is that a new lockdown could be introduced as early as Thursday, July 22nd.
Czech Republic: is compulsory vaccination a matter of time?
In the Czech Republic, children under the age of 9 are currently vaccinated against nine infectious diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, smallpox, rubella and mumps. Immunizations are mandatory for the admission of children to kindergarten or school. Parents who have not vaccinated their children are threatened with fines.
There is no public debate on the issue in the country. Which is probably also related to the fact that the hard line of the Czech government was supported in the spring by the European Court of Human Rights. The court ruling says that Czech healthcare policy “in every sense” is in the best interests of children.
Given the position of the authorities, it can be assumed that vaccination against coronavirus will become part of the program for mandatory immunizations. According to the Robert Koch Institute, 36 percent of Czechs fully vaccinated against coronavirus are relatively low compared to other EU countries.
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