Many MPs suddenly fell ill: chaos session on the decision to vaccinate in Austria

Created: 01/20/2022, 16:49

By: Franziska Schwarz

Austria's Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) © Georges Schneider / Imago

A "yes" is foreseeable.

With the exception of the right-wing FPÖ, all parliamentary parties are in favor of compulsory corona vaccination in Austria.

However, it is uncertain whether the measure will bring the hoped-for result.

Update from January 20, 12:18 p.m

.: The compulsory vaccination vote

in the Austrian Parliament is dragging on.

Apparently, seven MPs are completely absent from the debate, as the portal

reports

Five SPÖ members, one of whom has called in sick, an ÖVP member who has also called in sick and a Greens member who had previously announced his absence, since it does not want to agree to the proposal.

In addition to the planned compulsory corona vaccination in Austria, financial incentives should encourage people to become immunized.

Shortly before the compulsory vaccination vote, the conservative-green coalition government, together with the opposition Social Democrats, announced a "vaccination fleet".

In addition, communities should be rewarded with funding if they achieve high vaccination rates.

A total of around one billion euros is to be made available for these measures.

In the lottery, 500 euros can be won for each partial vaccination, which can be redeemed as vouchers in restaurants or shops. 

Corona: Austrian Parliament votes on compulsory vaccination

First report from January 20th

: Vienna – In the fight against Corona, compulsory vaccination should help decisively in Austria from February.

The parliament in Vienna will vote on the corresponding law on Thursday.

The measure is intended to significantly reduce the effects of future Corona* waves and, for example, prevent lockdowns*.

The step would mean the most far-reaching regulation in the EU to date.

Italy* and Greece* have mandatory vaccinations for the elderly.

In Austria*, the obligation should apply to all citizens who are at least 18 years old.

Exceptions are made for pregnant women and anyone who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.

The Bundesrat, i.e. the chamber of the federal states, will probably have to approve the law on February 3rd.

Corona vaccination obligation in Austria: controversial debate

When voting in the National Council, a clear majority is considered safe.

Apart from the governing factions of the conservative ÖVP and the Greens, many MPs from the opposition Social Democrats and the liberal Neos are also in favor.

Among the parliamentary parties, only the right-wing FPÖ sharply criticizes the project.

The new law is being discussed controversially in public.

During the assessment phase, more than 100,000 often critical statements reached Parliament.

Tens of thousands demonstrate in Austria regularly against the Corona measures *.

Violations of the vaccination requirement are subject to income-related penalties of up to 3,600 euros.

The law is to be implemented in several stages.

Random checks by the authorities are not planned until mid-March.

For example, the police should also check the vaccination status during their operations.

There has also been criticism from the police union for this additional task.

Vaccination control in Austria: is there a vaccination register?

The originally planned complete control by comparing the population register with the vaccination register is only intended as an option.

This measure should be made dependent on whether the vaccination rate increases significantly, as hoped.

The opposition and the government are also negotiating vaccination premiums.

Rewards for communities with high vaccination rates are being debated.

Austria has already had four lockdowns during the pandemic.

The exit restrictions imposed in November continue to apply to the unvaccinated.

The significant increase in vaccination numbers initially observed was only temporary.

The country is currently experiencing a massive fifth wave of corona caused by the omicron variant of the virus.

The 7-day incidence is almost 1500.