Covid Omicron: Time to consider mandatory jabs, EU chief sayson December 1, 2021 at 7:18 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

EU countries should discuss forced vaccinations to combat the Omicron variant, says Ursula von der Leyen.

Ursula von der Leyen

Image source, EPA

European Union countries should consider mandatory vaccination to combat Covid and the Omicron variant, the head of its Commission has said.

Ursula von der Leyen said vaccines would be crucial in the fight against the “highly contagious” new variant.

Some two dozen countries have reported cases of Omicron, and the EU has tightened travel restrictions since it was first reported earlier this month.

European countries have also been facing a wider spike in cases.

The World Health Organization (WHO), meanwhile, said early signs were that most cases of the Omicron variant were “mild”.

On Wednesday, Ms von der Leyen said it was “understandable and appropriate” for EU members to discuss forced Covid vaccinations given that a third of the bloc’s population was unvaccinated.

“How we can encourage and potentially think about mandatory vaccination within the European Union? This needs discussion. This needs a common approach, but it is a discussion that I think has to be led,” she told a news conference in Brussels.

Only individual EU states can enforce vaccine mandates and some are already taking steps in that direction.

Austria has announced compulsory Covid vaccinations from February next year, while Greece is fining all unvaccinated over-60s €100 (£85) a month.

Germany’s incoming Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, has said he supports compulsory jabs. In an interview with Bild television, Mr Scholz said he wanted compulsory vaccinations from March and also said a faster rollout of booster jabs was needed.

The WHO, which declared Omicron “of concern” on Friday following its rapid spread in South Africa, says it will know more about the new variant within days.

However, it has already said it believes existing vaccines “will still prevent severe disease” among people who contract the new variant.

Asked about the severity of cases, WHO epidemiologist Dr Maria van Kerkhove said: “There is some indication that some of the patients are presenting with mild disease.

“There is still suggestion of increased hospitalisations across South Africa but this could be the sheer fact that we have more cases, and if you have more cases you have more hospitalisations.”

The US on Wednesday became the latest country to report a case of Omicron. Other nations include Nigeria, Norway and South Korea. Several countries have tightened their borders to halt the spread of Omicron.

But the WHO warned against “punitive” travel measures imposed on southern African countries.

WHO head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was concerned about “blunt, blanket measures”, which “will only worsen inequities”.

Dr Van Kerkhove said travel bans imposed on South Africa had created problems for shipping virus samples.

The US, which has already banned foreign travellers from eight African countries, has ordered airlines to tell it the names of passengers who have been there.

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Ukraine conflict: Russia arrests hundreds at anti-war protestson September 21, 2022 at 6:48 pm

Russia's partial military call-up triggers protests - and a rush for flights to foreign destinations.Image source, AFPRussian police are reported to have arrested hundreds...

US Open: Alfie Hewett beat Shingo Kunieda to win wheelchair singles titleon September 11, 2022 at 6:39 pm

Britain's Alfie Hewett beats Shingo Kunieda to win the US Open men's wheelchair title and secure his sixth major singles trophy.Britain's Alfie Hewett beats...

Warning public debt could soar as population ageson July 13, 2023 at 1:36 pm

Debt could rise to more than 300% of the size of the economy by 2070, the government's forecaster says.Debt could rise to more than...

Aaron Carter: Singer and brother of Backstreet Boys’ Nick dies aged 34on November 5, 2022 at 10:16 pm

Aaron Carter, famous as a child pop star, was the younger brother of Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter.Image source, Getty ImagesBy Alex BinleyBBC NewsSinger and...

COP26: New Duke of Edinburgh-style climate award to be launchedon November 5, 2021 at 4:36 am

The announcement comes as activist Greta Thunberg joins a climate protest by young people in Glasgow.Image source, Getty ImagesPupils will be recognised for their...