30 million citizens should get either a first, second or booster vaccination – so 1.25 million doses have to be distributed per day. This will be “the largest operation that we have launched in a long time,” declared Chancellor-designate Olaf Scholz (SPD) in the evening on ZDF. He also terminated a legislative process for a general compulsory vaccination that could be initiated later this year. An overview of his statements from the evening.
To the need of strict measures
at “Picture” TV Scholz justified the project with the necessary protection of the population. “If we had a higher vaccination rate, we would have a different situation,” he said. One could “not watch heartlessly how the current situation is”. Therefore, there must be more vaccinations. His proposal for general vaccination is aimed at “End of February or beginning of March”.
Due to the tense situation and the pressing time, “we now have to do something differently from what was done in the past and what is different. All the wheels have to mesh, ”emphasized Scholz im ZDF “heute journal”.
Will there be fines for violations?
“If it came to a general compulsory vaccination, there would be a broad consensus among constitutional lawyers that it would not be permissible to force people to vaccinate,” he told the editorial network Germany (RND, Wednesday). “Presumably the violation of the vaccination obligation would be treated like an administrative offense and a fine would be attached to it.”
He is following the proposal of the Federal Minister of Justice-designate Marco Buschmann (FDP). He had a free vote on Monday on the general compulsory vaccination suggested. The general compulsory vaccination touches many difficult questions, he told the “editorial network Germany”. As an example, he referred to the questions of whether the interference with physical integrity is proportionate, what exceptions there must be and how the obligation is enforced.
How is the vote on general vaccination?
In the ARD “Daily Topics” he defends his view that it is at the Vote on a general corona vaccination requirement in the Bundestag should not give parliamentary groups. “This is good practice with such fundamental questions,” said Scholz on Tuesday evening. “Almost every German has an opinion on this. I think these are exactly the cases that have to be decided this way. ”
The traffic light parties in the federal government are currently working with the Ministry of Health to prepare a draft law for a partial vaccination requirement for staff in certain facilities. This is to be discussed for the first time in the Bundestag next week.
Usually, political groups in parliament vote in unison. However, there have also been deviations from this principle in the past, for example on issues such as euthanasia or organ donations. Scholz himself would like to agree to a general compulsory vaccination.
Why and when should the vaccinated status expire?
Scholz also commented that he and the SPD-governed countries only want to recognize evidence of complete corona vaccinations for a period of six months as proof of vaccination protection. The report in advance “Rheinische Post” (online) and the “Bild” newspaper on Tuesday, citing proposals from the SPD side for the current federal-state deliberations. This is justified with the gradual decrease in vaccination protection.
Scholz said on ZDF that scientists are currently of the opinion that it “urgently needed” after six months was to get a new vaccination. In the European Union it was discussed that after nine months there was no longer complete vaccination protection. “I think that is something we should hook up.” However, there is then also the obligation of municipalities, districts, federal states and the federal government to enable these booster vaccinations.
Will booster vaccinations be mandatory?
Scholz did not want to determine exactly whether that would be the case too Booster vaccinations future causing obligation meant to be. “We are discussing the question of when it will be the case that the old vaccination no longer guarantees complete protection,” he said ZDF- “heute journal”. Scientists are currently of the opinion that after six months it is “urgently necessary” to get a new vaccination.
On the criticism of acting too late in the corona crisis
He rejected allegations of having reacted too late to the rising number of corona infections. “The tour is there,” said Scholz on Tuesday evening in the ARD “Tagesthemen”. This is “perhaps the good news for what it is now about”. Let it be a Crisis team has been set up, “which is already getting started with its work, although the new government is not yet on the way”.
“We have to stick together and work together for the next few days, weeks and months, that too is now organized,” said Scholz. “We have to vaccinate, we have to make sure that those who have already had two vaccinations get a booster vaccination. And it’s about many, many millions of vaccinations. “
In addition, “many measures are being taken that are now important to reduce contacts, keep the infection rate under control and ensure that we do everything that is necessary”.
What about 2G and contact restrictions?
According to Scholz, the federal and state governments will definitely adopt a 2G rule in retail on Thursday. “That, I am sure, will be the result. The consensus was too clear for that, ”says the SPD politician on ZDF, referring to the previously agreed Prime Minister’s Conference. The 2G rules should therefore apply nationwide to the entire retail sector, apart from supermarkets and drug stores, that is Shops “for everyday needs”.
In addition, the SPD would like to strict contact restrictions enforce for unvaccinated people. Private get-togethers attended by unvaccinated and unrecovered people should be limited to your own household and a maximum of two people from another household. Exceptions are provided for children, however. “Unvaccinated people will only be able to meet very few people”, said Scholz on ZDF.
And what about Karl Lauterbach …?
Criticism of the fact that the SPD has not yet named a federal health minister and what is wrong with Karl Lauterbach, Scholz rejected as “completely unjustified” and left his attitude towards Lauterbach open. At the beginning of next week it will be clear who will move into the cabinet for the SPD.
Then the government will “meet quickly and will start work”. There will be a name for each office, Scholz further assured, without giving details about the Federal Ministry of Health.