By John Ikani
European Union (EU) Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, has said he saw no reason for governments to introduce a general coronavirus vaccine mandate anymore, given the declining severity of the pandemic.
Speaking to Funke Mediengruppe, an association of German dailies, Gentiloni said “the discussion about mandatory vaccination against COVID-19 had its justification months ago.
“But I don’t think now is the time to discuss mandatory vaccination.”
While noting that there has been an overall decrease in deaths and hospitalizations across the EU, Mediengruppe added that countries in the EU should be on the same path to loosening restrictions, country by country.
The Commissioner however stressed that he was not opposed to compulsory vaccinations in principle.
What you should know
Arguments over compulsory covid-19 vaccination are raging across Europe.
Austria is in the vanguard; others may soon follow.
Most European countries have already excluded unvaccinated people from large swathes of public life.
In many places, jabs are a condition of employment in hospitals and care homes. But facing a stubborn wall of vaccine scepticism, some governments have gone one step further.
“I would have preferred to go another way. But…we need to take this drastic step,” said Alexander Schallenberg, Austria’s then chancellor, announcing the plan in November.
Austria and Germany have some of the lowest vaccination rates in western Europe.
It’s left to be seen if other EU member states tread the same path as Austria.
