In a statement published on Thursday, Luxembourg's Association of Doctors and Dentists (AMMD) said the health sector is struggling under the weight of the pandemic, which has led them to support mandatory vaccination.

Mandatory vaccination could prevent the situation from becoming notably worse, said the association, whose statement was based on its members' experiences. The AMMD added that its members were concerned about the vulnerability of the elderly in the face of the virus, as well as the effects of extended Covid restrictions on children and adults in terms of mental health.

Science shows that although the vaccine does not eliminate all risk from coronavirus, it is at present the only efficient method of protecting the population from serious illness and complications, said the AMMD. It could more crucially prevent the health system from collapsing, the association added, as Luxembourg is considered more vulnerable due to the size of its population and surface area, and limited medical facilities.

The Grand Duchy's vaccination rate is also insufficiently high, continued the AMMD. It would not be sufficient to make the vaccine mandatory only for the healthcare sector, but instead should apply to the general population as well, for all those without a medical exemption, as other coercive measures have not achieved the desired objective. This obligation should be subjected to regular scientific review, added the association.

Although other treatments for the virus are on the horizon, the AMMD concluded it would be irresponsible to speculate further at this moment in time.

RTL