Corona: will there be compulsory vaccination?

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Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.

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There should be no general compulsory vaccination against Covid-19 - not even for children. Chancellor Angela Merkel, Health Minister Jens Spahn and other high-ranking politicians have emphasized this again and again. However, there could be restrictions for non-vaccinated people - at least temporarily.

The German Ethics Council, the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) and the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina have expressly spoken out against a general obligation to vaccinate against Covid-19. "Vaccinations require informed, voluntary consent. That is why a general vaccination requirement must be ruled out," write the three actors in a joint statement.

The Covid-19 vaccination is an offer that can be used voluntarily, but does not have to be accepted. However, it is conceivable that a test will be required for people without immune protection in certain situations, which does not apply to those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered.

Can the employer request a vaccination?

That is not to be assumed. On the one hand, because this would mean a considerable encroachment on fundamental rights. On the other hand, medical data such as information about the vaccination status are particularly protected by law. The employer can therefore not inquire about the vaccination status of his employees.

Since there is no legal obligation to vaccinate against Sars-CoV-2, this cannot be requested by the employer.

Unvaccinated people may not be excluded from visiting canteens and professional events.

Will vaccination be compulsory for special occupational groups?

A compulsory vaccination for certain occupational groups is conceivable: It could affect groups that deal with people who are particularly at risk - for example nursing staff in old people's homes or medical staff. A corresponding obligation already applies to the measles vaccination, for example. So far, however, there have been no concrete statements from politicians in this regard.

Do children have to be vaccinated in the future?

No. There will also be no compulsory vaccination for children. A Covid-19 vaccination for the child is also not a requirement for childcare or school attendance.

The Standing Vaccination Commission now recommends vaccination for minors aged 12 and over. Such a vaccination is also not compulsory for children and adolescents of this age group. Should there be vaccines approved for younger children in the future, this will also apply to them.

Are unvaccinated people excluded from public life?

Some citizens who do not want to be vaccinated fear a kind of mandatory vaccination through the back door. For example, that vaccination is a prerequisite for attending major events, clubs, cinemas and restaurants.

It is currently being discussed whether the 3-G rule should continue to apply in times of high incidences. It means that only those who tested negative, vaccinated and recovered have equal access to certain situations.

One argument against the 3-G rule: According to the current state of knowledge, the probability of being contagious is far higher in those tested - at least after a rapid test - than in those who have been vaccinated and recovered. The last two groups can still be contagious after a breakthrough infection - but according to the current state of knowledge, they are at low risk.

As a result, a 2-G rule could actually apply temporarily for some areas with high contagion potential, which excludes people who have only been tested.

Will unvaccinated people be restricted in their freedom of travel in the future?

The situation is different when traveling abroad. Here it seems certain that some countries want to protect themselves from the introduction of the virus and therefore make proof of vaccination a prerequisite for entry. In some places this is also the case for other diseases, such as yellow fever.

In addition, quarantine regulations for vaccinated and convalescent people could be interpreted more generously than for unvaccinated people.

Outlook: In the long term, Sars-CoV-2 will become commonplace

Many experts assume that Sars-CoV-2 will become endemic - this means that Covid-19 will continue to flare up again and again in the population. The virus won't go away. But if the majority of the population has basic immune protection due to vaccination or previous infection, it will be rated similar to the annual flu.

By then at the latest, proof of the immune status in everyday life can be dispensed with - even for those who have not been vaccinated.

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