Excitement Over Possible Opt-out for E-Vaccination Pass
"The e-vaccination pass is an important tool to finally obtain figures on the vaccination rate," said the Green health spokesperson Ralph Schallmeiner. The possibility of an opt-out for the e-vaccination pass endangers the quality of the data. The State Secretariat stated that there is no final decision yet.
Health Minister Königsberger-Ludwig: No final decision yet on opt-out for e-vaccination pass
The data is "important and relevant to improve health planning and the resilience of our health system," said the Green MP in a press release. According to parliamentary correspondence, Königsberger-Ludwig explained last Tuesday in the National Council's Health Committee that regarding the opt-out provision for the e-vaccination pass demanded by the FPÖ, a regulation is currently being worked on.
In response to an APA inquiry, it was stated this Tuesday from Königsberger-Ludwig's office that they are currently carefully examining "whether, according to the constitution, there must be a possibility to opt-out of the e-vaccination pass - a so-called opt-out." This is not a simple question, "therefore we are approaching this with the necessary care." Developments at the EU level, particularly in connection with the European Health Data Space, also play an important role in this.
"As long as this examination is ongoing, there is no final decision," it was stated. It is clear that the topic will also play an important role in the planned revision of the Health Telematics Act. The e-vaccination pass is "an important tool for our health system." It helps to better document vaccinations, increase patient safety, target vaccination programs, and improve people's care.
Opt-out for e-vaccination pass: Greens fear "blind spots"
Schallmeiner emphasized in his press release that with an opt-out, "blind spots" are risked, and the necessary preparations for future challenges are made more difficult. The electronic vaccination pass was originally introduced to overcome the disadvantages of the paper-based system and to enable a central, digital documentation of all vaccinations. The goal is to create a reliable data basis for health planning and to fulfill international obligations to eliminate diseases. "An opt-out option could significantly endanger these goals." Weakening a newly established system right away is "incomprehensible." Schallmeiner has now submitted a parliamentary inquiry to the responsible Federal Minister for Social Affairs, Health, Care, and Consumer Protection, Korinna Schumann (SPÖ).
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This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.