Mandatory vaccination is one of the most divisive issues facing the country today.
Vaccination in Ecuador
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| [Cute little girl taking COVID vaccine/ Usplash] |
Ecuador was the first Latin American country to implement mandatory vaccinations in December 2021, which is perhaps the most extensive in the world at this point in time. People above the age of twelve have been required to be vaccinated against Covid from December 23. Suitable for youngsters aged five and above. The current vaccination rate is 84%, 77%, and 22%, with 22% of the population having previously gotten a booster (as of the end of February).
In contrast to the intense discussions over forced vaccination that have taken place elsewhere, this rule in Ecuador was received with no political or societal opposition. Only a few of dissenters dared to speak up. There was a strong unanimity on the best course of action in an otherwise highly polarised political scene. The organisers of a public vaccination protest were disappointed by a few anti-vaccination protesters who called for a demonstration. Vaccine sceptics are not as prevalent in Ecuador as they are in Europe or North America. This misinformation through social media is obviously also reaching the individuals who live there.
Despite this, anti-vaccination propaganda does not have any traction in the public. They consider European and North American vaccination arguments as a luxury that they cannot afford in light of Ecuador's economic and social crises. Our collective memory has been permanently scarred by the horrific events of March and April 2020. To begin with, the epidemic attacked Ecuador, a nation that was entirely unprepared, poorly-governed and in the middle of a social and economic disaster. The photos of carcasses strewn over the streets of Guayaquil, the epicentre of the first pandemic wave, and congested hospitals spread throughout the globe. Everyone in Ecuador knew that they couldn't rely on a working safety net in the case of an outbreak.
As soon as Guillermo Lasso, a conservative-liberal politician, took office in May 2021, the vaccination programme became a top priority for his administration. Unless Lasso wanted to lose the government's trust, he had to avoid repeating incidents like April 2020. People wanted to be on the safe side when the omicron wave emerged, along with rising occurrences and mortality rates from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Even if mandatory vaccination has been implemented in a consistent manner, this is not the case. You can't go to restaurants, pubs, or shopping malls if you don't have a vaccination certificate. The need to provide proof of immunisation may be expanded to more locations based on the severity of the warning. Operators are responsible for maintaining control of their systems. These are the only ones who may be punished for breaking the rules. Resisting immunisation will not be tolerated.
Even while Ecuador's decision to require all children to be vaccinated has garnered worldwide notice, it is of little practical significance. Even without a requirement, the general public's desire to be vaccinated was already fairly high.
Vaccination in Tajikistan
The Tajik government proclaimed the nation corona-free in January 2021, which was a little too soon. After five months, it had to be accepted that the epidemic wasn't finished. A Covid infection is suspected in the deaths of Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon's family in July 2021, including his elder sister. The epidemic has also taken on a personal significance for the President.
The government had instituted mandatory vaccinations for all 18-year-olds not long earlier, at the beginning of July. With such an unpopular and wide-reaching move, many observers were baffled by the government's decision to act so quickly. While many countries were caught off guard by the summer of 2021's corona wave, the Tajik government was particularly concerned about a drop in public trust, given its prior full-throated proclamation.
Logistics played a significant influence in the decision, as did the president's ability to retain power. Although Tajikistan was one of several underdeveloped countries to receive vaccine contributions, there was some confusion about when the vaccines would be delivered. Compelled vaccination is a useful tool for promptly administering all of the necessary doses.
In addition, remittances from Tajikistan's nationals living outside the country are a major source of income for the country. Nearly a quarter of the Tajik population was employed in Russia last year, at 2.4 million people. As a result, in order to maintain public health, the government had to verify that citizens received the necessary vaccinations before travelling.
Compulsory immunisation is a hotly debated topic among Tajiks. There is a lot of doubt about vaccines. That is not to say that the totalitarian nation didn't have an open discussion about it. How the administration responded to the Gorno-Badakshan demonstrations in recent months shows how to suppress debates.... Protests were sparked by the regime's efforts to expand its grip over the area. The Internet was shut off for many weeks by the authorities without additional notice.
Radicalization and social divide have become a major problem in Tajik politics. It was strengthened by the demonstrations in Gorno-Badakshan and the Taliban's takeover of power in Afghanistan. Compulsory vaccination has yet to have an impact on these patterns. The migrant worker's viewpoint will be the deciding factor. Because they are often the only breadwinners in their households, they have a significant impact on national discussions as well as those taking place throughout the globe, such as in Russia.
Vaccination in Greece
Deaths and hospitalizations are at record levels, with a daily mortality rate of about 100 in January and 85 in February. Despite stringent restrictions, the situation in Greece remains dire. Greece will begin requiring vaccinations for workers in elderly homes and the healthcare industry as early as September 2021. As in January, anybody over the age of 60 who have not been vaccinated might now face a fine of up to $1,000.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greece's conservative prime minister, gave himself a slap on the back. The effort was deemed a huge success by the federal government. 220,000 persons in this age range were immunised in the first 45 days after the plan was announced in November.
The data is important. 90% of those over 60 have had at least one shot. More than 85% of the population has had a booster or a second vaccination in the recent seven months, making them completely immunised. Minister of State Akis Skertsos emphasised the relevance of this for Greece, which has the second oldest population in the EU. The greatest risk group included 28% of the cohort.
By suspending the roughly 4,700 workers who have not yet been able to prove vaccination status until March 31, the vaccination obligation for employees is being enforced in real terms. It will be decided at the conclusion of this period whether their suspension will be prolonged until the end of the epidemic - i.e., for an indeterminate period.
Since mid-January, anyone over the age of 60 who have not been vaccinated have started paying a fee of 100 euros every month. In other cases, vaccination is not required, such as if there are health hazards linked with immunisation or if foreign vaccines are not recognised by the United States. State hospitals will get the fine money.
Nea Demokratia and KINAL, the opposition center-left party, voted in support of mandatory vaccination in parliament. SYRIZA under Alexis Tsipras, the Mera25 led by Yanis Varoufakis, and the right-wing populist group Greek Solution voted against.
The mandatory vaccination demand was roundly criticised by those in the opposing camp. In this case, the government's lack of knowledge and persuasion contributed to the failure of a countrywide vaccination effort. "The criminals who are behind this massive health catastrophe and fear the collapse of the national health system refuse any responsibility and once again put it on their countrymen," SYRIZA said in a statement.
Some people are upset that other professions like law enforcement and the clergy aren't required to get the flu shot. People over 60 who are unvaccinated are also subject to a fine, which is received with scepticism. Critics question whether or not this is an appropriate step to safeguard the public. According to others, it helps to increase the strain on those who are impacted.