Austrian parliament approves mandatory Covid-19 vaccination for adults

Vienna, Jan 20 (EFE).- The Austrian parliament on Thursday approved introducing a Covid-19 vaccine mandate for adults, the first of its kind in Europe.

Coronavirus vaccinations will be mandatory for all over the age of 18, with the exception of pregnant women, people who have recovered from the infection in the past six months and those with medical exemptions.

People who refuse to be jabbed will be fined with up to 3,600 euros.

The bill was backed by 137 of the 170 deputies who took part in the vote. The far-right Freedom Party of Austria opposed the bill.

The law will come into effect at the beginning of February.

While backed by the majority of Parliament, the law has sparked a series of protests with thousands taking to the streets to demonstrate against the mandate.

Austria’s conservative government announced the new law in November last year, after lifting a lockdown for the non-vaccinated.

Since then, vaccination rates have increased from 65% to 71%. EFE

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