The Austrian government has lifted the vaccination obligation against Covid-19. “We have decided to follow the advice of the commission of experts” and to “suspend” the compulsory vaccination, said the Minister for Constitutional Affairs Karoline Edtstadler, during a press conference in Vienna.

This content was published on March 09, 2022 – 2:11 pm

09 March 2022 – 14:11

According to him, the imposition, due to the presence of the Omicron variant, is no longer proportionate. However, the situation will be reassessed in three months, according to health minister Johannes Rauch.

The obligation is to enter into force at the beginning of February and mid-March controls should be triggered, with consequent heavy penalties. Lately, however, numerous doubts had been raised about the real applicability of the provision.

The decision is based on an opinion from the task force of experts which confirms the usefulness of the vaccine, but suggests flexibility according to the current situation, especially given that the dominant variant is not covered by the vaccine.

“Like the virus, we too have to adapt continuously,” Edtstadler continued. For this reason the law is not revoked but remains on standby. “As a former judge, I am convinced that a law without sanctions is useless,” continued the minister. If in the autumn the situation has to request it, the government will be able to “react in a very timely manner”, explained Edtstadler.