OFFICIAL: Austria is the first country in Europe to introduce compulsory vaccination against COVID-19!

Austria became the first country in Europe to introduce mandatory vaccination against Covid-4 for adults on Friday / February 2022, 19. President Alexander Van der Bellen has signed the law, he said CNN.

The measure on compulsory vaccination in Austria provides that those without a vaccination certificate or a derogation could be fined from EUR 600. Mandatory vaccination checks will start on March 15.

Pregnant women and those who cannot be vaccinated without endangering their health are exempt from the law, according to the website of the Austrian Ministry of Health. The exemption also applies to people who have recently undergone COVID-19 disease and are within 180 days of receiving their first positive Covid-19 PCR test.

The new law is valid until January 31, 2024, and unvaccinated people risk a maximum fine of 3.600 euros ($ 4.000), up to four times a year, if they are not on the vaccination register with a valid certificate.

The example of Austria is to be followed by Germany, according to Chancellor Olaf Scholz. A key vote on a potential law on compulsory vaccination against COVID-19 is expected at the end of March 2022.

The measure taken by Austria and intended to be taken over by Germany comes in a context in which the vaccination rate in the two countries is above the European average of 70.4%. However, health authorities remain on alert. Germany on Friday reported a record number of new cases of the new coronavirus, recorded in 24 hours, of 248838 new cases, a record in this pandemic.