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The debate about compulsory vaccination continues
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Christophe Papke / Westend61 / IMAGO
The health policy spokesman for the Union faction, Tino Sorge, believes that compulsory corona vaccination is only possible under certain conditions and with a narrow time limit.
“Compulsory vaccination would only make sense if there was a risk of particularly dangerous virus variants – and if there were suitable vaccines at the same time,” said the CDU politician to the “Welt am Sonntag”.
“If one of the two is not the case, compulsory vaccination would be of little use.” The clear signal to the population must also be: “If vaccination is compulsory, then only with a clear, narrow time limit.”
The previously known initiatives of various members of the Bundestag for a general obligation to vaccinate criticized concern: "The differentiation according to virus variants and temporal component is missing from all group applications - as well as ideas for improving the database." The Union will submit a proposal on these three points, he said.
On Wednesday, the Bundestag discussed the socially explosive topic in an orientation debate.
So far there have essentially been three approaches: A draft for compulsory vaccination from the age of 18 is currently being prepared by parliamentarians from all three traffic light groups.
A group led by the FDP MP Andrew Ullmann concreted a push for a "middle way": with a mandatory, professional and personal counseling session for all adult unvaccinated people.
And if after a certain time the necessary vaccination rate is not achieved, proof of vaccination from the age of 50 is mandatory.
A group led by FDP Vice Wolfgang Kubicki wants to prevent compulsory vaccination in general.
SPD hopes for a majority in the first ballot
The SPD, the Greens and the FDP had agreed that the deputies should deliberate and decide freely without the usual group guidelines.
SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich believes it is possible that there could be a majority for compulsory vaccination from the age of 18 in the first ballot, as he told the editorial network Germany.
He also spoke out in favor of this option.
»After much deliberation, I have come to the conclusion that compulsory vaccination can help us not to have to restrict everyone’s freedom rights again next autumn.«
Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger told the "Welt am Sonntag": "I tend to vote for age-related vaccination requirements." This would primarily protect the vulnerable groups in the next wave, argued the FDP politician.
"This way would also be the milder means than a general vaccination requirement."
kae/dpa