The rising COVID infection rate in Germany is fuelling a debate about making vaccinations compulsory for some professions. The incoming government has not ruled out the proposal, with would-be chancellor Olaf Scholz describing the discussion as “correct."

Vaccines mandatory in care homes and childcare?

On Monday afternoon, Green party leader Katrin Göring-Eckardt said that an agreement had been reached between the coalition parties about making vaccinations against coronavirus compulsory for certain people working in Germany. “We will need compulsory vaccinations for institutions, for nursing homes, for daycare centres, [and so on]. We will get this off the ground,” she said at a press conference in Berlin. 

After her remarks were widely reported on in the media, Göring-Eckardt later backpedalled and said that no firm agreement had yet been reached, adding that the measure would not be included in the current reform of the Infection Protection Act, which is set to be passed by the Bundestag this week. 

Göring-Eckardt clarified that the proposal for mandatory vaccination was still under discussion and - should the coalition decide that it is the right course of action - would be part of a separate, future legislative procedure. 

Olaf Scholz says debate on mandatory jabs is needed

Chancellor-in-waiting Olaf Scholz on Monday evening came out in support of debating the issue. “I think it is right that we have now started a discussion about whether this should be done,” he told the Süddeutsche Zeitung. He added that it would only be possible if there was a consensus “that many want to participate.” 

Carsten Schneider, parliamentary manager of the SPD, said that he was in favour of compulsory vaccinations, but that it was best to focus on certain settings, rather than occupations, citing an incident in Brandenburg where a nursing home outbreak was caused by a member of ancillary staff, rather than a nurse. 

This opinion was echoed by the President of the German Nursing Council, Christine Vogler, who said that, instead of targeting specific professional groups, an “institution-related” approach was needed. She said that not only caregivers but also relatives, cleaning staff and kitchen helpers would have contact with vulnerable groups in hospitals and nursing homes, and so should also be subject to compulsory vaccination rules. 

German government previously ruled out compulsory COVID jabs

The head of the German Hospital Association (DKG) Gerald Gaß, previously indicated that he was in favour of compulsory COVID jabs for certain occupations. “The issue of vaccination is not a private matter,” he said, describing it instead as an “act of solidarity." “The fact that employers are not allowed to ask employees whether they have been vaccinated is incomprehensible,” he said. 

The German government has stated on several previous occasions that it would not consider making vaccination mandatory, as some of its neighbouring countries have done. In France, for instance, vaccines are now compulsory for people working in the healthcare sector. “We do not intend to go down this road,” outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel said back in July.