Markus Söder had received nationwide criticism with statements on the Corona care vaccination requirement. Now Bayern has presented its plan.
Munich – After the dispute about the care vaccination*, Bavaria is now presenting its implementation concept. In fact, there are longer transition periods.
Holetschek: Corona care vaccination will be implemented in Bavaria in stages by summer
In Bavaria, the Corona* vaccination requirement for employees in care and healthcare is to be implemented and enforced slowly and gradually in the coming months, as announced. This is the concept that Minister of Health Klaus Holetschek (CSU*) developed after the dispute about the so-called facility-related compulsory vaccination. The Free State wants a pragmatic implementation “with a sense of proportion”, as Holetschek announced on Tuesday. Ultimately, employees who still do not want to be vaccinated should only be threatened with entry bans from about the summer. For new hires, however, the vaccination obligation applies directly from March 16th.
“It was essential and right that Bavaria put its finger in some open wounds in the past few weeks on the way to facility-related vaccination requirements,” said Holetschek. The Federal Ministry of Health has now revised its handout several times. However, several key questions remain open. “Bavaria is now filling these gaps itself and is implementing the law with a sense of proportion.”
Corona care vaccination in Bavaria: graduated procedure
In Bavaria, the vaccination requirement is being implemented in a staged process: from March 16, the facilities must first report all employees who have not yet been vaccinated or have recovered or who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. The health authorities should then offer those affected vaccination advice and give them the opportunity to reconsider their decision. The aim is to convince as many people as possible who have not yet been vaccinated, emphasized Holetschek. They also rely on the new Novavax vaccine, which may be accepted by some.
The offer of advice is then followed by a formal request to submit the legally stipulated evidence to the health department. If this is not done, fine proceedings will be initiated. “Ultimately – but only as a last resort – an entry ban can then be issued,” the ministry said the CSU politician further. “Because the care of patients and residents of facilities must always be guaranteed in a plannable manner.” Also in terms of time, this means that nobody is threatened with being dismissed quickly.
Corona care vaccination in Bavaria: entry bans probably only from summer
“We expect that due to this staged procedure, any entry bans can only be issued from the summer,” said Holetschek. In the case of new hires, on the other hand, the obligation to submit proof of immunity results directly from the law – proof must therefore be available directly from March 16th.
Prime Minister Markus Söder* (CSU) had attracted nationwide criticism when he said that he initially wanted to “de facto” suspend the new facility-related corona vaccination requirement. He later emphasized: “Of course we will remain lawful.” In practice, however, there will actually be longer transition periods in Bavaria.
Dispute about compulsory vaccination: Minister of Health Holetschek attacks the federal government
Gradual implementation of compulsory nursing care: Associations made easier
Association representatives reacted with satisfaction. “We are relieved that the facilities now have planning security and will use every opportunity to convince other employees to be vaccinated,” said Georg Sigl-Lehner, chairman of the Association of Nurses in Bavaria. Thomas Karmasin, Vice-President of the District Council, emphasized: “We hope that with the planned procedure we will also have a practicable solution for the municipalities”. The chairwoman of Lebenshilfe Bayern, Barbara Stamm, said: “We hope that the facility-related compulsory vaccination is now on the right track”. The implementation instructions appeared practicable and could give the facilities the necessary planning security.
“We are relieved that the facilities now have planning security and will use every opportunity to convince other employees to be vaccinated”
However, Holetschek and the associations both confirmed that a general obligation to vaccinate must now follow the facility-related one. “Transparency is necessary on the question of whether the federal government is keeping its word, to quickly follow a facility-related obligation to vaccinate with a general obligation to vaccinate,” said Leonhard Stärk, the state manager of the Bavarian Red Cross.
Holetschek calls for general corona vaccination
Holetschek also expressed criticism: “It was always clear that the institution-related vaccination obligation should only precede the general vaccination obligation. Now it is no longer even clear whether and if so, in what form general vaccination will come at all. ”This is also “an indictment of the federal government”, he said.
According to the ministry, the first corona vaccinations with the vaccine from the US manufacturer Novavax are expected to arrive in the Bavarian vaccination centers on Wednesday and then be administered there. “Since the delivery quantity is initially limited, it is first available to all those who professionally take care of the particularly vulnerable groups,” said a ministry spokeswoman on request. Holetschek wants to visit a vaccination center in Freising on Thursday . (kam/dpa) *Merkur.de/bayern is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA
