Vaccine policy in Austria and Germany should work
Significance It comes after Austria became the first European country to announce it would make vaccinations mandatory for the adult population. Both countries have among the lowest vaccination rates in Western Europe, which has resulted in soaring infection rates, hospitalisations, and the re-introduction of lockdown restrictions. Impacts Germany and Austria are likely to experience protests over the coming weeks in opposition to vaccination policy. More European countries could consider implementing mandatory vaccines amid concerns over the new Omicron COVID-19 variant. Persistently high COVID-19 infections would slow down the German government’s social and economic reform agenda. Slower euro-area growth as a result of new lockdown measures could see the ECB extend its loose monetary policies.