Austria passes Covid vaccine mandate, but question marks linger over enforcement
by Philip Oltermann in Berlin from on (#5VS42)
Despite an EU-first law that imposes fines of up to 3,600 euros for adults refusing a jab, government accused of mixed messaging
Austria has become the first country in the EU to make vaccinations against Covid-19 mandatory for all adults, but questions remain over whether it can sway those sceptical of taking the jab and how much the Alpine state's government is willing to press those who won't comply.
The upper house of the Austrian parliament, the Bundesrat, on Thursday evening voted 47-12 in favour of a general vaccination mandate, formally approving a law that will see those over the age of 18 who decline to take a jab face penalties of up to 3,600 euros, unless they are pregnant or severely ill.
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