Mandatory vaccination  only when necessary to reach public health goals – UN

Mandatory vaccination must comply with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and non-discrimination said the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on Wednesday.

The High Commissioner said that the objectives pursued by countries that consider making the

vaccine mandatory to fight the pandemic were “of course, of the highest level of legitimacy and

importance.” But she insisted that “mandatory vaccination should only be used when necessary to achieve compelling public health goals.”

“And only when less intrusive measures, such as wearing a mask and social distancing, fail to meet

those public health goals. Although refusing to comply with the obligation to be vaccinated can have legal consequences, such as an appropriate fine,”

Bachelet also emphasized that for the obligation to be “in accordance with the fundamental principles

of human rights of equality and non-discrimination,” countries have to ensure the supply of vaccines

and that they are truly affordable as well as being “sufficiently safe and effective,” she added.