The debate about the introduction of Corona vaccination cards in the EU is already in full swing. As Spanish media unanimously report, the parliament of the province of Galicia passed a new law on Tuesday that allows vaccination refusers to be severely punished.
Those who refuse to be vaccinated despite government orders can now be fined between 1,000 and 30,000 euros. If there is “serious danger or harm to the public”, the fine under the new law can even be up to 60,000 euros. So far, however, it is not clear when a violation of the vaccination obligation is considered serious.
Demonstrations by critics of the Corona measures and opponents of Corona vaccinations took place in front of Galicia’s parliament building after the new law was passed. Spain’s national health ministry also reacted less than favourably to Galicia’s move. To the newspaper El País, the health ministry stated:
“As with all other vaccinations, the one against COVID-19 is not compulsory.”
According to lawyers, it is still unclear whether Galicia’s plans are in line with the constitution. It is expected that the Spanish Constitutional Court will decide in the last instance. The Spanish central government under Pedro Sánchez has so far rejected a Corona vaccination obligation. However, the central government has already announced its intention to introduce a national vaccination register, which is supposed to be non-public. This register should show who has already been vaccinated against Corona and who has not.
