Health – Munich – Holetschek: care vaccination will be implemented in stages – Bavaria
Munich (dpa/lby) – The corona vaccination requirement for employees in care and healthcare is to be slowly and gradually implemented and enforced in Bavaria in the coming months, as announced. This is the concept that Minister of Health Klaus Holetschek (CSU) developed after the dispute about the so-called facility-related compulsory vaccination. Bayern wanted a pragmatic implementation “with a sense of proportion,” said Holetschek on Tuesday. Ultimately, those who still do not want to be vaccinated should only be threatened with entry bans from about the summer. For new hires, however, the vaccination obligation applies directly from March 16th.
“It was essential and right that Bavaria put its finger on some open wounds in the past few weeks on the way to compulsory vaccination at the facility,” said Holetschek. The Federal Ministry of Health has now revised its handout several times. However, several key questions remain open. “Bayern is now filling these gaps itself and is enforcing the law with a sense of proportion.”
In concrete terms, the obligation to vaccinate will be implemented in a staged process: From March 16th onwards, the facilities will first report all employees and employees who have not yet been vaccinated or have recovered or who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. The health authorities should then offer those affected vaccination advice and give them the opportunity to reconsider their decision. The aim is to convince as many unvaccinated people as possible, emphasized Holetschek. They also rely on the new Novavax vaccine, which may be accepted by some.
The offer of advice is then followed by a formal request to submit the legally required proof to the health department. If this is not done, fine proceedings will be initiated. “Ultimately – but only as a last resort – a ban on entry can be issued,” the ministry said.
“In each individual case, the facility will also be consulted so that the aspect of security of supply can be adequately taken into account in the decision-making process,” explained Holetschek. “Because a plannable care of patients and residents of facilities must always be guaranteed.” From a purely temporal point of view, dying means that nobody is in danger of being fired quickly. “We expect that due to this staged procedure, any entry bans can only be issued from the summer,” said Holetschek. In the case of new hires, on the other hand, the obligation to submit proof of immunity results directly from the law – proof must therefore be available directly from March 16th.
Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) had attracted nationwide criticism when he said that he initially wanted to “de facto” suspend the new facility-related corona vaccination requirement. He later emphasized: “Of course we will remain lawful.” In practice, however, there will actually be longer transition periods in Bavaria.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220301-99-331346/2