Filenews 1 July 2021 - by Marilena Panagi
While the Government is seeking incentives and privileges for citizens who are vaccinated, the number of scientists talking about the need to properly inform citizens about vaccination issues is increasing every day.
Yesterday, in a statement to the Cyprus Times, Professor Leontios Kostrikis, after opposing any material incentives, said: "My philosophy is against compulsory vaccination. I believe that we have failed, and I am putting myself in, to training the Cypriot population to make the vaccine. Because we followed the philosophy of decrees, of intimidation, not me but the outgoing minister. This was a philosophy that turned out not to benefit everyone.
It is still not too late and a basis for general and continuous training of the public and especially young people must be put in place." Motives "I think also give philosophically incorrect messages. Training can be done for example with seminars, articles, gatherings etc. It is a tip I would give to the new Minister of Health," said Mr. Kostrikis.
Professor Petros Karagiannis said: "The 'punitive measures' on unvaccinated people will not work, since they will somehow create divided citizens and there will be a lot of reactions. What's important right now is to convince these people."
The legal dimension of the incentives or privileges that the Government plans to grant, with the aim of increasing the rate of vaccination coverage in Cyprus, was analysed yesterday in statements by the president of the Cyprus Bar Association, Christos Clerides.
'There can be no categorization of individuals and citizens in such a way as to run counter to Article 28 which refers to the right to equality and non-discrimination in any way. The balance is delicate," he said, pointing out that "any measures decided cannot be punitive, as they will cause social reactions and legal complications."
"It would be a good thing if some measures were taken to consult the Legal Service to make sure that any measures do not run counter to any constitutional provision," he stressed, adding that the members of the Association "remain at the disposal of the Ministry of Health to assist in the preparation of the incentive package to be granted".
