Austria vaccine mandate to take effect, but few emulating it
VIENNA — Austria is about to become the first country in Europe to require most adults to get vaccinated against COVID-19, but few other nations appear likely to join it as many turn their attention to loosening restrictions.
The mandate for people 18 and over takes effect today, 2 1/2 months after the plan was first announced amid a surge of delta-variant cases that sent the country into a since-lifted lockdown.
ADVERTISING
It comes into force as nations across Europe and beyond have seen infections reach unprecedented levels because of the omicron variant. While the sense of urgency in Austria has largely evaporated, officials say the mandate still makes sense.
“The vaccine mandate won’t immediately help us break the omicron wave, but that wasn’t the goal of this law,” Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein said Thursday. “The vaccine mandate should help protect us from the next waves, and above all from the next variants.”
It will be awhile before Austria’s 8.9 million people notice any practical change. And it isn’t clear when or even if the toughest part of the plan will take effect.
But authorities hope the measure will drive up a vaccination rate that is relatively low for Western Europe: 69% of the population is considered fully vaccinated.
Only in mid-March will police start checking people’s vaccination status during traffic stops and checks on coronavirus restrictions. People who can’t produce proof of vaccination will be asked in writing to do so and will be fined up to $680 if they don’t. Fines could reach 3,600 euros if people contest their punishment.
