Status: 03/16/2022 5:20 p.m
The facility-related vaccination requirement has been in effect since mid-March. Until Tuesday, March 15, healthcare workers were still able to prove their corona vaccination status. In Lower Saxony, that should be up to 95 percent.
From now on, practices, hospitals and care facilities must inform the authorities via a reporting portal which employees have not been vaccinated or have recovered or who have not responded to the call. According to the Lower Saxony Ministry of Health, employers have two weeks to submit the reports. The health authorities should then write to those affected – and possibly impose a fine of up to 2,500 euros. They are also threatened with being banned from entering their workplace or carrying out their work.
No effects expected for the time being
Initially, the obligation to vaccinate should not have any impact on operations in practices and clinics. In view of the many new corona infections across the country, the health authorities have a lot to do. In addition, those affected can first comment, lodge an objection and file a lawsuit. The decision about continued employment can drag on for weeks or months. The Lower Saxony district council expects that the majority of cases will be heard in court.
95 percent of employees are vaccinated
According to the Ministry of Health, around 240,000 people in Lower Saxony work in the healthcare sector, including around 90,000 in nursing. Referring to surveys in January, Minister of Health Daniela Behrens (SPD) recently said that around 95 percent of employees in clinics and care across the country were vaccinated. This left around 12,000 employees who could be registered in the coming weeks.
Further information
