Although there is no general COVID-19 vaccination requirement for now, the number of places with this requirement is increasing all over the world. In a news article yesterday, we mentioned that a hospital fired its unvaccinated employees as a last resort to protect patients and employees. Even though there is no expulsion today, a much more general explanation has come about the necessity.
Hans Kluge, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, made a statement about the necessity of COVID-19 vaccine, which is currently a very controversial issue and is being considered in some European countries. Referring to the increase in COVID-19 deaths in Europe, Kluge stated that the necessity is an “absolute last resort”.
“Applicable if options run out”
Touching on the most talked-about items about the pandemic in Europe at the press conference held with the video conference method, Hans Kluge started his speech with case data and the amount of deaths. Noting that 120,000 people died in Europe last month due to the virus, Kluge also stated that vaccines saved the lives of at least 470 thousand people in the period of December 2020 – November 2021.
According to the same statements, 55% of the population in Europe and Central Asia received 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine. In 43 of the 53 countries in Europe, additional doses began to be given to the “most vulnerable” groups. Cases in the 5-14 age group have increased and may even be 2-3 times more than the cases of the average population. Reminding that schools will close due to Christmas soon, Kluge said in his statements about the necessity of vaccination, “Vaccination-related obligations are the absolute last resort. It can be applied when other options that encourage vaccination are exhausted.”
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