This decision comes after a second opinion was presented by a group of health experts. The latter had drafted several scenarios, from best case to worst. The government has decided not to adopt the mandate at this point in time, but will informally deposit the draft law on obligatory vaccination against covid-19 prepared by the ministry of justice to the State council and Chamber of deputies. This aims to make sure that it is ready, should a worst-case scenario happen.
With a less dangerous dominant variant roaming through the country, the mandate would not be justified at the moment, says the government. Justice minister Sam Tanson (déi Gréng) stated that “it’s too hypothetical to make this intervention in the human rights of each person” as the evolution of the virus over the coming months remains unpredictable. But, should the worst-case scenario take place--where a delta-like variant with heavy symptoms and a high virulence could impact the country--the government wants to be ready to vote on the mandate. The aim would be to avoid overwhelming hospitals.
“The omicron variant is faster,” said Bettel, “but it’s clearly less dangerous. But we also know that the current situation is not a guarantee for the future.” The number of infections--after a decrease in the infection rate over spring--has gone up for five consecutive weeks in Luxembourg.
“A vaccine mandate is not forced vaccination,” the prime minister insisted. While unvaccinated persons would not be forced to get the vaccine, they could however, get fined for not respecting the mandate, added Tanson.
The proposed draft law would target the over 50s. This would include cross-border workers who could have to declare their vaccination status, though that would require a separate legal text. Currently, more than 30,000 residents over 50 years old--who are the most vulnerable to the coronavirus--have not received a shot.
The government during the press conference on 8 July also reaffirmed its support of the experts. Bettel, however, said that voting on a mandate now--when the conditions don’t justify it--would send the wrong signal to the population. “But we think it’s unreasonable to not start any procedure,” he added.
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Health minister Paulette Lenert (LSAP) who was also present at the conference, said that “vaccination was a game changer in the pandemic” and that boosters were important too. The ministry would be ready to reopen vaccination centers and provide vaccines if the mandate should be put in place later this year.
For now, the government is preparing for a scenario where a strong wave of infections could roll over the country in the colder months. “We hope to not have to use the text by then,” said Bettel, who hopes the virus won’t evolve into a worse variant.
“It’s our challenge to evaluate the risk and take a decision quickly,” said Lenert about any potential new, riskier variant.
Bettel also reiterated that it is still possible to get the vaccine now. “You don’t have to wait for another wave,” he concluded.