The Austrian government is planning to make vaccines fully compulsory for all citizens, with non-compliance resulting in a hefty fine. The conservative-led administration said all citizens aged 14 and above must get vaccinated or face fines of up to $4,000 for every three months they are unvaccinated.
Austria currently has one of the lowest rates of vaccination in Western Europe, with only about 68% of its population being fully vaccinated. Skepticism about vaccines continues to be a big problem for the government, which is racing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Last month, when infection levels reached new highs in Austria, the government issued a fourth national lockdown and announced plans of making vaccines mandatory for Austrian residents.
Austria would be the first European Union country to impose a vaccine mandate. The plan still needs to be approved by parliament before it can be implemented. The proposed mandate is scheduled to start in February through January 2024. The two major and opposing parties in Austria both support the planned vaccine mandate, indicating that it could be passed without issue.
Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein said Thursday that the plan is not meant to punish people who aren't vaccinated but is instead meant to encourage them to get their vaccine shot. Mueckstein said that once the mandate is in place, there will be quarterly vaccination checks. He added that they would be checking central vaccination registries to determine who has been and who hasn't been vaccinated.
Mueckstein said proceedings would be brought against those who will remain unvaccinated when the mandate is in effect. He said a fine of up to $4,000 might be imposed, but the exact amount will be dependent on the individual's income and other financial obligations. Those that refuse to appear before district administration authorities when summoned will be fined even higher for endangering the lives of others.
All those who have permanent residence in Austria will be required to be vaccinated under the proposed mandate. There will be exemptions for pregnant women, though immunizations are still advised for them and those who cannot get vaccinated due to medical reasons. People who have recovered from COVID-19 in the preceding six months will also be exempted.
Mueckstein stated that persons who are qualified for exemptions must have their exemptions recorded in a central vaccination registry, which would then be verified every three months. The first deadline will be on March 15th.
