Enlarge image
Klaus Holetschek, Chairman of the Conference of Health Ministers
Photo: via www.imago-images.de / imago images / Political-Moments
The Bundestag is to deal with the introduction of a general compulsory vaccination against the coronavirus as early as the beginning of 2022.
It is still unclear what exactly it should look like - and what happens if someone violates it.
Bavaria Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) has now proposed not just fines for violations.
He thinks it makes sense to consider financial disadvantages in health insurance as a possible sanction.
"We should also check whether malus regulations in the area of statutory health insurance would be possible and sensible," said Holetschek to the editorial network in Germany.
"Because the risk for unvaccinated people of getting seriously ill with Corona is significantly higher." Holetschek is currently chairman of the conference of health ministers.
According to Holetschek, higher health insurance contributions for unvaccinated people, participation in treatment costs or the cancellation of sickness benefits would be considered. The latter two options are therefore already regulated by law - for example for follow-up treatments due to complications in cosmetic surgery, tattoos or piercings.
Holetschek calls on the parties in the Bundestag to initiate compulsory vaccinations in January. "We have to start the general compulsory vaccination as soon as the facility-related compulsory vaccination takes effect," he said, referring to the transition period until March 15. Until then, employees in health and care facilities must provide evidence of a complete vaccination. A general vaccination requirement creates equal treatment and prevents even more nurses from leaving their jobs.
According to the Robert Koch Institute in Germany, around 74 percent of the population are currently vaccinated against the coronavirus at least once.
The federal government had set the target that this quota should increase to 80 percent by January 7th.
But that can hardly be done anymore.
That is why the traffic light coalition has now postponed the date - the 80 percent mark should now be reached by the end of January.
ulz / AFP / Reuters
