The urgency behind possibly implementing an obligation to get vaccinated against the coronavirus has passed in Belgium, but the legal framework should be prepared regardless, said Corona Commissioner Pedro Facon.
The past few weeks have made it clear that a majority of the speakers at the Committee hearings are not in favour of compulsory vaccination, and Facon also did not seem in support of an obligation himself.
"Today, the conditions for mandatory vaccination have not been met," he stated in the Federal Parliament on Wednesday.
Previously, Facon had made it clear that he was in favour of a so-called "vaccination pass" system instead of the current Covid Safe Ticket (CST), which also accepts a recovery certificate or a recent negative test result.
Related News
- Belgium switches to 'code orange' from 18 February
- Corona Commission wants new 'corona certificate' instead of mandatory vaccination
- Belgium starts hearings on introducing vaccination obligation today
Now, however, he is no longer sure if it would be necessary. While he considers it a more proportionate instrument than an outright obligation, "it is not the case that compulsory vaccination or the CST must absolutely be part of the toolbox."
While he stressed that the issue of mandatory Covid-19 vaccination is a "political discussion," he did question how such an obligation would be enforced in practice, as there is no political or social support for imposing sanctions or fines. An obligation "would become purely symbolic and would offer little added value."
However, Facon warned that the legal framework for an obligation should be worked out now, in case a future wave or variant increases the urgency again. In that case, it would be necessary to be able to react quickly, as decision-making invariably takes time.
