There is no vaccine mandate imposed on school staff, but the right to health of the majority should prevail. This is how Health Minister Ala Nemerenco responds to criticism leveled at the decision of the Extraordinary Commission on Public Health requiring teachers and other school staff to produce coronavirus tests at their own expense every two weeks. The minister says the government cannot afford covering them, as there are other financial priorities.
“We are not taking steps toward introducing vaccine mandates. But the Constitution says that the right to health of the majority prevails over individual rights. No one can expose the lives and health of others to danger, especially when we are talking about children. They have a right to learn in a safe environment,” Nemerenco told a M1 talk show.
The academic year is due to start as usual on September 1, and all teachers and students will be able to physically attend school. But Minister Nemerenco is disappointed by the low inoculation rates among school staff.
“Vaccination rates among school staff range from 40% to 60%. Tests are necessary in order to ensure the safety of children and of school staff(…) Let me ask those who got their vaccines: do they want their health insurance contributions to go towards those who refuse to do it? This money can be spent on school maintenance and repairs. Should we spend everybody’s contributions to cover the cost of tests for those who refuse to get vaccinated?”, asked Ala Nemerenco.
With physical attendance allowed for all, the authorities plan to reach a vaccination rate of 95% among school staff by October 1.
