Is now the time to vaccinate?

However, there is only one possible scenario behind it – and that is the most favorable one. This requires a lot that cannot be assumed with certainty based on the current state of knowledge. No one knows if the Omicron or Delta variants will return at the end of the year. Or a new, even more dangerous type of virus. It is also unclear to what extent an infection from the spring protects against a severe course – and if at all. The vaccination protection had also decreased by then. That’s a lot of unknowns. Too many.

The hope for an end to the pandemic is justified, but so is the concern about further waves with many people in intensive care units. Anyone who votes against compulsory vaccination risks new lockdowns – and in the worst case high death tolls, as there were in the second wave.

Even if a vaccination does not reliably protect against an infection, the risk of severe courses and the risk of infecting yourself and others are lower. This relieves the health system. If Germany does not succeed in further increasing the vaccination rate, we will continue to look enviously at the parts of the world that are returning to normality thanks to many vaccinated people.

The voluntary concept has not worked in this country, the vaccination rates are too low. The number of new vaccinations is even declining. If, in the second year of the vaccination campaign, a not inconsiderable part of the population still believes that they do not need to be vaccinated – which argument can still be used to convince these people?

Of course, this resistance also makes compulsory vaccination a political and social risk. It will continue to anger those who are already taking to the streets in anger against the pandemic measures – and those who are silently seething.

Not to be forgotten, however, is the majority that advocates compulsory vaccination. She hopes to find her way back to normality. The pattern of closures, restrictions and restrictions must not be repeated. And if compulsory vaccination is an opportunity to break out of this consuming pattern, politics must seize it – and implement it consistently and quickly.

Cons: First, all alternatives must be exhausted

Before compulsory vaccination is legitimate, it must be determined whether the core of those opposed to vaccination are radically opposed to it or whether they are too comfortable with an unorganized vaccination campaign.

By: Christian Rickens

From the outset, the debate about compulsory vaccination was characterized by a strangely paternalistic relationship between citizens and the state. A large reasonable majority want the vaccination and often queue for hours in front of vaccination centers. A minority has not yet been vaccinated.

Politics and administration could initially have wooed this minority. Vaccination could have been made as easy as possible for her through low-threshold offers. To then see whether the hard core of those who refuse to vaccinate are really so big that they are jeopardizing success in the fight against the pandemic.

Instead, leading politicians quickly brought the mace of universal vaccination into the debate. That almost inevitably sounds like the punishment of the unreasonable and rebellious. The Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst, summed up this mentality when he said on a talk show that compulsory vaccination is about “showing the vaccinated: We will no longer allow it.”

The fact that those who have been vaccinated feel better is certainly not sufficient justification for the encroachment on the fundamental right to physical integrity, which would mean compulsory vaccination. Incidentally, a far more drastic intervention than a seat belt obligation, in order to clear up this comparison that has been repeatedly made by advocates of compulsory vaccination.

The only real justification for universal vaccination is its medical necessity in the fight against the pandemic. This necessity can be seen in two dimensions: either by the fact that vaccinated people are significantly less contagious than unvaccinated people. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the available corona vaccines are not as effective as initially hoped.

More vaccination offers give us answers

The point of a corona vaccination is rather that it prevents severe disease progression in the vaccinated themselves. However, the need for compulsory vaccination cannot be derived from this – anyone who wants to accept death through their own unreasonableness should also have the freedom to do so.

Which brings us to the second dimension: the fear that unvaccinated people might occupy intensive care units to such an extent that other patients can no longer be treated. But as I said, it would first have to be shown how big the hard core of the fanatical opponents of vaccination really is. The best way to find out: skip-the-line vaccine offers for everyone.

More: Is it right to introduce mandatory corona vaccination?