The LCGB trade union has expressed its support for the rapid implementation of the recommendations of experts to introduce a partial COVID-19 vaccine mandate in Luxembourg.
Earlier this month, a group of medical and scientific experts recommended a vaccine mandate for people aged 50 and over as well as healthcare workers. The LCGB has now voiced its support for such a mandate.
The LCGB noted that, based on the principle of prioritising the health and safety of all, particularly employees in the workplace, it has supported the Luxembourg Government on several occasions throughout the pandemic. Such occasions included the implementation of measures relating to labour and social law, aimed at preventing the health crisis from turning into a social crisis, as well as the testing strategy and the vaccination campaign.
The LCGB recalled that the responsibility for safeguarding the health of all residents falls exclusively within the competence of the government, meaning that the latter "must take any political decision necessary to achieve this goal". In light of a vaccination rate "that is too moderate" compared to other European countries and the current record-breaking wave of COVID-19 infections, the Luxembourg Government is now considering the potential introduction of a vaccine mandate.
In view of the current data, the LCGB Executive Committee decided in its meeting of 24 January 2022 to support the recent recommendations of the aforementioned group of experts. Based on scientific arguments, this expert opinion recommended the establishment of a partial vaccine mandate, the purpose of which is to protect those most likely to fall seriously ill or die from a COVID-19 infection.
Consequently, the LCGB has demanded that the Luxembourg Government "do everything possible" to ensure the "very rapid introduction" of this partial vaccine mandate.
