Corona pandemic: the limited vaccination requirement is coming

A facility-related corona vaccination obligation is a done deal. After the Bundestag, the Bundesrat also voted for an amendment to the Infection Protection Act. There had been a heated debate in parliament.

After the Bundestag, the Bundesrat also approved the amended Infection Protection Act. The decision in the regional chamber was unanimous. This means that the changes can come into force shortly.

A few hours earlier, the Bundestag had approved the amendment to the Infection Protection Act with a large majority. 571 MPs voted for the law of the traffic light coalition of the SPD, FDP and the Greens. 80 MPs voted no, 38 abstained.

Dentists should also be allowed to vaccinate

For the first time, the law also provides for a corona vaccination for certain groups. Specifically, the issue is that from mid-March 2022 employees of facilities in which people who are particularly at risk from Covid-19 are treated or cared for should be subject to mandatory vaccination. The facility-related vaccination requirement should apply to old people’s homes and hospitals, facilities in which people with disabilities are cared for, day clinics, medical practices, emergency services and socio-educational centers.

With the new law, the federal states can also order the closure of clubs and discos, as well as restaurants. In order to speed up the booster vaccinations, dentists, veterinarians and pharmacists should also be allowed to temporarily administer vaccinations against the coronavirus in the future.

Lauterbach wants to fight for a “safe Christmas”

Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach had declared the fight against the corona pandemic to be the top goal of the new federal government in the Bundestag. The coalition has planned a lot. “The top priority for us is to protect the population in the health crisis,” said the SPD politician about the amendment to the Infection Protection Act. “We will do everything we can to end this crisis quickly.” With the correction of the Infection Protection Act, the instrument will be created to break the delta wave of the pandemic and to prevent the omicron wave as well as possible, Lauterbach said.

He also sees the new Infection Protection Act as a means of securing Christmas. “We have to ensure that at least Christmas and the trips to loved ones can not only take place, but can take place safely,” said the SPD politician in his first speech as the new health minister. If protective measures are consistently observed and monitored, that is possible.

Lauterbach called on the opposition to cooperate. “This pandemic is a task for all of us,” he said. It is not suitable for party political disputes. “I know we can do it,” he said. “We have no time to lose.”

The Green MP Maria Klein-Schmeink described the law as a “further building block for more protection against Corona”. It should no longer happen that home residents become infected because the staff working there have not been vaccinated. According to the FDP health expert Christine Aschenberg-Dugnus, the new law offers extensive opportunities to combat the pandemic effectively. Vaccinations and boosters are the decisive factors to contain Covid-19.

CDU warns of constant changes

The Union also voted for the law, but criticized the approach of the traffic light coalition. The current “Repair Act” would be followed by others, said CDU MP Erwin Rüddel in the debate. The constant changes in an already dramatic situation only led to growing uncertainty among the population.

Violent criticism from the AfD

Violent criticism came from the AfD. “Citizens’ trust in politics has been deeply shaken,” said party leader Timo Chrupalla. “What we have been experiencing here in Germany for two years are constantly changing statements by leading politicians. And the statement that there will be no compulsory vaccination has been turned into the opposite by the Ampel coalition.” This is a breach of word – especially the FDP.

The “greatest insolence”, however, are statements by Health Minister Lauterbach, who is selling compulsory vaccinations as a contribution to the community on the government bank. Lauterbach’s speech was “demagoguery”. “As a federal government, you should hold society together and not divide it,” said Chrupalla.

For the Left Party, Susanne Ferschl criticized that too little was being done for the care workers who were under great pressure. “The new federal government is introducing a facility-related vaccination requirement within four days, but cannot agree on a premium for nursing staff.” There is not even a minimal thank you for them. “That is embarrassing.”