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Omicron Prompts EU Vaccine Mandate Push
As new cases of the omicron coronavirus variant emerge around the world, more European leaders are pushing for a new—and controversial—pandemic strategy: vaccine mandates.
“We have the vaccines, the life-saving vaccines, but they are not being used adequately everywhere,” said Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, before urging the European Union to consider mandatory vaccinations. “This needs a common approach.”
Despite having an abundant supply of vaccines, slowing uptake has spiked coronavirus infections across Europe and put the continent back at at the epicenter of the pandemic, according to the World Health Organization. With one-third of the European population still unvaccinated, desperate leaders are increasingly imposing once inconceivable mandates—and facing backlash.
Shifting stance. After facing record case numbers, Austria became the first European country to announce it would require vaccinations in November. Public anger was swift and intense: an estimated 40,000 people took to the streets to protest the decision. Days later, Greece unveiled a more targeted mandate, requiring all citizens over the age of 60 to be inoculated by mid-January—or face a monthly fine of $144. “It’s not a punishment,” said Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the Greek Prime Minister. “I would say it is the price for health.”
Other countries are now looking to set similar ultimatums. As Germany confronts a surge in coronavirus infections and deaths, incoming German chancellor Olaf Scholz said he wants vaccinations to become mandatory by February. The country is currently registering an average of 60,000 new cases per day, a 42 percent increase from just two weeks ago, while its average death count—300 per day—has shot up by 54 percent.
Uncharted territory? In requiring vaccinations, these countries are entering largely uncharted territory. Globally, just a small number of nations have imposed national mandates. One of the few is Indonesia, which began requiring inoculation in February and has since urged richer nations to share their vaccines in the interest of equity.
Experts generally remain divided over whether such mandates will accomplish their goals—or fuel greater resistance to vaccination. “There is a growing number of people opposing the government and policies against COVID-19,” Thomas Czypionka of the Institute for Advanced Studies told Time. “This vaccine mandate may well serve as a strong push to more radicalization—especially with our history.”
But for some, it is the only option left. “It is a drastic measure,” said the Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg, but “we have a necessity to take this drastic step.”