Status: 02/16/2022 3:22 p.m
There is a new draft in the debate about compulsory vaccination: The proposal by MPs around the FDP politician Ullmann initially provides for compulsory vaccination advice, which can then lead to compulsory vaccination for everyone over 50 years of age.
The debate about a possible extension of the corona vaccination obligation continues: Now the next draft by members of the Bundestag is on the table. The group around the FDP politician and infectiologist Andrew Ullmann advocates that everyone who has not yet been vaccinated against Covid-19 must seek vaccination advice.
Vaccination compulsory from the age of 50 in a second step
Should this not lead to a sufficient vaccination quota, in a second step, compulsory vaccination for all people over the age of 50 should be introduced. This is proportionate, appropriate and can be effective, said Ullmann at the presentation of the draft in Berlin.
The draft stipulates that the health insurance companies should inform about vaccinations and the rule. By September 15th, all citizens would then have to be able to prove that they have been fully vaccinated – usually three times – or have recovered or have had vaccination advice. According to the scientific knowledge that is then available about possible new virus variants, herd immunity and an imminent new wave of infections, an assessment should be made as to whether vaccination is also compulsory for older people. This would require a new Bundestag resolution.
A “Middle Ground”
Ullmann and his colleagues consider compulsory vaccination from the age of 50 to be sufficient, because older people in particular are threatened with a severe course of Covid 19, which can also be combined with a hospital stay.
The Green MP Paula Piechotta, another supporter of the application, spoke of a “middle ground”. When it comes to compulsory vaccination, you have to proceed “very well dosed and with a good sense of proportion”.
The bill has support from MPs from all three traffic light factions. Other supporters include Konstantin Kuhle (FDP), the Greens MP Kordula Schulz-Asche and the SPD MPs Franziska Maschek and Herbert Wollmann.
55.7 percent have booster vaccination
According to the Robert Koch Institute, around three quarters of the population in Germany are currently fully vaccinated against Covid-19, i.e. usually twice. More than half (55.7 percent) have already received a booster vaccination.
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) considers compulsory vaccination to be crucial for combating a new corona wave in autumn. Various models are currently being discussed for general vaccination requirements in Germany. They range from the refusal of any corona vaccination to a general vaccination from the age of 18. Such an obligation applies to staff in health and care facilities from mid-March.
Soon deliberations in the Bundestag
The Bundestag should decide on the group applications for the introduction of compulsory corona vaccination in the first week of April at the latest. The parliamentary director of the Greens, Irene Mihalic, announced that the first discussion of the applications had now been agreed between the parliamentary groups for the first week of the meeting in March in the middle of the month. Before Easter, the Bundestag should finally advise: “By the first week of the April session at the latest, vaccination should be compulsory.” SPD faction leader Rolf Mützenich also assumes that there will be a decision on general vaccination before mid-April. “I’m quite sure that we’ll finish here before Easter.”
The general obligation to vaccinate should be decided in the Bundestag without party pressure.