Soldiers in the German armed forces will no longer be required to provide proof of vaccinations against the coronavirus in the future, the Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
A technical review by authorities in the military, combined with a vote by the Military Medical Advisory Council last week, has resulted in a move away from the obligation, a spokeswoman told dpa.
The German military, known as the Bundeswehr, will still offer voluntary vaccinations to soldiers, but will no longer make them mandatory.
Regulations require soldiers to be vaccinated against a range of diseases, unless there are special health reasons that prevent vaccination. Required vaccinations include hepatitis, measles, rubella, mumps and influenza.
On November 24, 2021, the Ministry of Defense added mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations to the general service regulations.
Anyone who opposed the vaccination program without medical or legal justification could expect disciplinary measures or consequences under labor law.
Germany’s highest court of appeal for administrative matters will also hear a lawsuit on Wednesday about the mandatory vaccination against the coronavirus in the Bundeswehr.
The court indicated that the Defense Department’s announcement was likely to have a significant effect on the case.
The soldier challenging the demand in court has argued that requiring Covid-19 vaccinations as part of the army’s vaccination program is unlawful. The 53-year-old officer said he faced a disciplinary process and was threatened with dishonorable discharge for refusing to be vaccinated.
The same court confirmed the inclusion of the Covid-19 vaccine in the mandatory vaccination program in a landmark decision almost two years ago.
However, the decision also called on the Ministry of Defense to review and monitor the vaccination requirement in light of the changing circumstances.
The Army eventually allowed the soldier to skip the shot, but he claims the experience destroyed his trust in his employer and he spent nearly a year on sick leave.
