Covid-19 in Luxembourg: the vaccine obligation was “too soon excluded”
Through Ninon Oget
Published on
The National Ethics Commission (CNE) of Luxembourg published a new notice on Wednesday, December 8, 2021, “in view of the worrying development of the Covid-19 pandemic in the midst of a new wave and the concomitant appearance of a new variant, Omicron”.
In this position statement, the institution recognizes a current situation in hospitals still under relative control but deplores an increase in the “number of patients in intensive and ordinary care” as well as a worrying health context in the “three neighboring countries”.
Imposing facts “the disappointing observation that the current vaccination coverage in Luxembourg and elsewhere is still not sufficient”. But for the CNE, things are simple: “This pandemic will not be able to stop definitively until all are vaccinated, cured or deceased “.
A vaccination strategy for the youngest
Thus, the idea of the institution is to implement additional measures even “at the cost of increasing pressure on people who have not yet been vaccinated”.
It is clear that the silent annoyance of vaccinated people who constitute a large majority is opposed to the growing aggressiveness of a noisy anti-vax minority.
It starts with the implementation of a vaccination strategy for children aged 5 to 11 who “are important vectors of the virus”, according to the CNE. In this sense, the government has decided for this age group to authorize vaccination from Tuesday, December 14, 2021, but only for vulnerable people.
“Vaccinating children to protect adults would be a valid reason, but the CNE insists on the point that it is first and foremost for adults to be aware of their duty and to behave responsibly in order to protect children”, specifies the institution.
The vaccination obligation “deserves to be considered”
The latter instead turns to an obligation to vaccinate “too early” excluded by the Luxembourg government. To see if this is acceptable, “it is essential to also consider the sanction put in place, if applicable, in the event of non-compliance”, explains the CNE.
In all cases, “positive discrimination measures in favor of vaccinated people and cured people are perfectly possible” since they “make it possible to set up a passive or indirect vaccination obligation”, according to the institution.
For a large majority of CNE members, relying on ethical arguments and taking into account the scientific data available to date, the societal and political choice of an active or direct compulsory vaccination for all is an option. deserving of consideration, provided that each person has been able to choose individually to be vaccinated before the entry into force of such a measure.
In the event of a worsening of the health situation, “the active or direct vaccination obligation [pour les personnes majeures] would be appropriate and justifiable “and does not” have to use imaginary back doors “, according to the CNE.
Has this article been useful to you? Note that you can follow Actu Luxembourg in the Mon Actu space. In one click, after registration, you will find all the news of your favorite cities and brands.