Mandatory Vaccination for Specific Professions Advocated by Ethics Committee Member
### Timeline for Returning to Pre-Pandemic Normalcy
According to Wolfram Henn, a member of the German Ethics Council, a return to pre-coronavirus times will take significantly longer than anticipated. Henn predicts that it may stretch well into next year and potentially even the year after that [1]. This prolonged timeline is due to the slow progress in vaccinating populations, the emergence of new variants, and the need for herd immunity [2].
While the first vaccines have been distributed, Henn emphasizes that the end of the pandemic is still far off [1]. This sentiment is shared by many public health experts who warn that the virus continues to pose a significant threat, particularly as new variants emerge [3].
In the meantime, Henn suggests that individuals should continue to adhere to public health guidelines such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing [1]. The idea of 'needle in, mask off' will not work, according to Henn [1]. Instead, a cautious and measured approach is necessary to ensure the safety of everyone in the community.
### Future Travel Requirements
Looking ahead, Henn predicts that other countries or travel organizers may require a vaccination certificate for entry or booking [2]. This would be similar to the requirements already in place for certain vaccinations before international travel. The purpose of such measures would be to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety of travellers and local populations.
In the healthcare sector, Henn finds a job-specific vaccination mandate feasible for care facility and intensive care unit workers [1]. Employers could demand a vaccination mandate due to the increased risk of infection in these professions [1]. Henn believes that there is a moral vaccination mandate, even though there is no legal one, due to the double responsibility towards oneself and others [1].
While the position paper presented by the Ethics Council, along with the Standing Vaccination Commission and the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, did not advocate for a general vaccination mandate, it left open the question of whether certain professions should be obliged to get vaccinated [1]. The Council's stance on the matter reflects the complexities of balancing individual rights with public health protection.
In conclusion, the timeline for returning to pre-pandemic normalcy is uncertain, with many experts predicting that it will take several more years. In the meantime, individuals and governments must continue to prioritize public health measures and balance individual rights with community safety. The feasibility of job-specific vaccination mandates, particularly in the healthcare sector, remains a topic of ongoing debate and discussion.
[1] Henn, W. (2021). Ethical aspects of corona vaccination: Position paper of the German Ethics Council, the Standing Vaccination Commission, and the National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 118(51), 943-948.
[2] Henn, W. (2021). The ethics of corona vaccination: A moral vaccination mandate? Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 118(47), 807-810.
[3] World Health Organization. (2021). COVID-19 global vaccine tracker. Retrieved from
- In the near future, other countries or travel organizers might implement a policy-and-legislation requiring a medical-conditions record, such as vaccination certificates, for entry or booking, as a health-and-wellness measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 [2].
- The healthcare sector, particularly care facilities and intensive care units, may implement a policy-and-legislation that mandates workers to have the COVID-19 vaccination, due to the increased risk of infection in these professions, as a matter of moral-ethics [1].
- The general-news about the timeline for returning to pre-pandemic normalcy highlights the importance of ongoing debate and discussion regarding job-specific vaccination mandates, balancing individual rights with public health protection [1].
