Austria makes Covid vaccines mandatory for all adults, but question marks linger over enforcement

Despite an EU-first law that imposes fines of up to €3,600 for adults refusing a jab, the government has been accused of mixed messaging

The law, which will come into effect once it has been signed by Austria’s president, Alexander Van der Bellen, over the coming days, has been followed with great interest across Europe, where other nations have considered taking a similar step. File Picture: AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos

Austria has become the first country in the EU to make vaccinations against Covid-19 mandatory for all adults, but questions remain over whether it can sway those sceptical of taking the jab and how much the Alpine state’s government is willing to press those who won’t comply.

The upper house of the Austrian parliament, the Bundesrat, on Thursday evening voted 47-12 in favour of a general vaccination mandate, formally approving a law that will see those over the age of 18 who decline to take a jab face penalties of up to 3,600 euros, unless they are pregnant or severely ill.