In Austria, the vaccine is officially mandatory for all

Im a precedent in the European Union, Austria has started to make it mandatory to receive a vaccine against the coronavirus for all adults over the age of 18, under the threat of a heavy fine.

The law adopted on January 20 in Parliament entered into force on Saturday, and is the result of a process that began in November to confront the outbreak of the epidemic.

The government decided to choose a harsh method despite the criticism, in contrast to its European partners.

Manuel Kreutgartner, who opposes health laws in Linz, north of the country, condemned the decision, saying, "No European country follows us in making the vaccine mandatory."

Neighboring Germany began discussing a similar project since January 26 in the Bundestag, defended by new Chancellor Olaf Scholz, but it was delayed due to the division of the political class around it.

- Observation in mid-March -

Despite this harsh measure, the vaccination rate in Austria did not rise, and remained below the levels recorded in France or Spain, where it reached about 70 percent of the population.

Dozens of people are waiting to receive the vaccine at a vaccination center in Vienna.

The humanitarian organization Arbiter Samariter Pond, which is responsible for managing operations at the center, has recorded an increase in turnout in recent days.

"We registered a small increase of 9 percent compared to the previous week," official Michael Hausmann told AFP.

He explained that out of about 7,000 doses given daily in Vienna, only 10 percent are given to people receiving the vaccine for the first time.

Erika Viskankov, 33, an accountant, came to receive the third dose.

"I really believe that law is the best way" to end the pandemic, she said, calling on other countries to follow the Austrian example.

Melanie, 23, confirmed that she did not choose to receive the vaccine out of conviction.

"I don't want to stay imprisoned at home," said the waitress, whom AFP met at the center a few days ago.

In Austria, unvaccinated people are prohibited from entering restaurants, gyms and cultural venues. They will be fined from now on, which Melanie considered a "futile" measure.

The text of the law includes all adult residents, except for pregnant women, those who contracted the virus less than 180 days ago, and those who can obtain an exemption on medical grounds.

Screening of the population will not begin before mid-March. Then fines of between 600 and 3,600 euros will be imposed, but they will be lifted if the offender complies within a two-week period.

- Exception in the world -

Gerhard Kammer, a 65-year-old technician, said it was a "soft" method that might not be "very effective."

He expressed support for the law that "protects us as a community." And he believed that "a large number" of those who refuse to receive the vaccine "will pay the money and will not receive the vaccine."

A recent poll indicated that 60 percent of Austrians support the government's decision, but large segments of the population remain strongly opposed.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets for several weeks after the project was announced, to protest against a measure they considered radical and suppressing liberties.

The content of this law has been criticized in the face of the less dangerous mutant Omicron and the large number of cases.

Health Minister Wolfgang Mokstein stressed that preparations must be made to "combat new mutations" that could emerge in the coming months.

The health certificate is being imposed in an increasing number of countries for some professions and activities, but the imposition of the vaccination on everyone remains an exception.

The mandatory vaccination was imposed in Indonesia and in two countries in Central Asia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.