'Science Helps' Recommends Gov't to Adopt Mandatory Vaccination for Some Groups

Bratislava, December 4 (TASR) - The Science Helps initiative recommends that the Slovak Government should introduce mandatory vaccination for selected groups of the Slovak population, Richard Kollar, speaking on behalf of Science Helps, has told TASR. The state should assume responsibility for any serious side effects of vaccination. It should guarantee appropriate compensation to those affected by the jabs. "In less than a year, more than four billion people have been vaccinated with at least one dose of the vaccine, more than half of humanity. Experience clearly shows that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks of possible side effects. Vaccines significantly reduce the need for hospital treatment and save lives," said the scientists in a joint statement. They called on political leaders to lead by example, to be vaccinated and not to question vaccines. Politicians have the opportunity to explain to people why vaccination is important, the benefits that it brings to society, and to refute hoaxes and conspiracy theories that hinder vaccination and therefore delay a return to a functioning society. The scientists also pointed out that only half of adults are vaccinated in Slovakia, which is too little to deal effectively with the novel coronavirus pandemic. They also underlined that more than 80 percent of people admitted into hospital with COVID-19, and also of those in the most severe condition, are unvaccinated. am/df