Prognosis
How Austria Plans to Enforce EU’s First Mandatory Vaccine Policy
- Measure marks a step up in government action on inoculations
- Other countries have introduced restrictions for unvaccinated
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Austria is making coronavirus vaccinations mandatory from February, a controversial move that’s gaining traction among European leaders desperate to defeat the coronavirus.
The government’s decision makes Austria the first major country on the continent to move away from the idea of optional vaccines. The details of the plans were announced Thursday by the Health Ministry. The measure stops short of labeling avoidance a criminal offense, but holdouts face hefty fines of up to 3,600 euros ($4,070).