Tens of thousands have demonstrated against mandatory vaccination in regular weekend rallies since the measure was announced in November in a bid to drive up the country's vaccination rate.
The government initially wanted to cover everyone aged 14 and older, but now the measure only applies to adults, except pregnant women and those with a medical exemption.The overwhelming majority of MPs from all parties voted in favour of the law, with the leaders of the opposition Social Democrats and the liberal NEOS lending their backing to the centre right-green coalition.
Green Health Minister Wolfgang Mueckstein appealed during the debate on"all citizens to question myths around vaccination", insisting that"all the evidence indicates that the vaccines available in Austria are safe".However, some Austrians remain to be convinced of the merits of vaccination, with a couple of hundred opponents of the law gathering for a noisy protest near parliament on Thursday morning.
On Wednesday, the government announced it was setting up"security zones" around health facilities and vaccination centres so that the police can turn away anyone"causing difficulties", including demonstrators.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
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