Frank Ulrich Montgomery advocates mandatory vaccination for everyone in Europe

Frank Ulrich Montgomery, President of the World Medical Association (WMA) and of the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) which represents their associations in the European institutions, is in favour of «compulsory vaccination for all in Europe, because deniers not only put themselves at risk, but also the health of others.».

He also notes that «there is no alternative to vaccination and the risk is minimal». Mr Montgomery stresses that «it is the need for booster vaccination for people over 60 years of age, because their immune system becomes much weaker and the risk of serious disease and death is greatly increased.».

«I advise everyone to do the booster dose as soon as possible. We must prevent the spread of the coronavirus and its variants by all means. Imagine the consequences of a variant as deadly as the Ebola virus,» the President of the World Medical Association stresses in an interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.

The following is the interview with Frank Ulrich Montgomery in the AP:

-What is the status of the pandemic and because of the Omicron variant?;

The pandemic is continuing with great momentum in Europe. We must be vigilant, because other mutations may occur: Pi, Roe, Sigma. We must prevent the spread of the coronavirus and its mutants by all means. Imagine the consequences of a mutation as deadly as Ebola. That is why we must prevent mutations. Omicron is more contagious than Delta, but not more deadly, and as the epidemic models suggest, it will dominate around Christmas.

-Is our protection improved with the booster dose?;

It is also very effective against Omicron because it greatly increases the number of antibodies. Even vaccinated people who do get sick will have a much milder progression of the disease. I advise everyone to get it as soon as possible.

-Why is a third vaccine necessary?;

It is not uncommon for vaccines to be repeated. For influenza it is done every year. The higher frequency now has to do with the lack of experience with this particular virus and because it is constantly changing.

-Is it necessary to shorten the interval between the second and third vaccine?;

Yes, because we know from the evolution of antibodies that after 6 months, there is about 20-30% of immunity left. By doing the vaccine earlier we gain more immunity, especially vulnerable groups and those who come into frequent contact with coronavirus outbreaks, such as nursing staff. I also took it earlier.

Vaccine for the Omicron mutation

-Will there be a fourth vaccine adapted to «Omicron», or another for possible mutations?;

Maybe, but if we are lucky and there are not many outbreaks and other mutations we won't have to. For some years though, we will need to protect ourselves with vaccines at regular intervals.

-Is booster vaccination necessary for people over 60 years old?;

Yes, absolutely, because after 60 the immune system becomes much weaker and the risk of serious disease and death increases greatly.

-How do you see the imposition of a fine?;

If that's how we push them to get vaccinated then it's correct, but I don't know if we'll get them to pay and if we'll reach them that way. If they suffer as a consequence of not being vaccinated the restriction of their freedom they might reconsider.

-Children from 5-7 should be vaccinated?;

Yes, especially those who have any other disease or weak immune system. Healthy children are very mildly ill, but they are affected by the coronavirus. The MRNa vaccine is one of the best in the world, extremely safe and causes no side effects in children and young people. But there is also a social dimension: children are a reservoir of the virus through which it can be transmitted. It is the parents who will ultimately make the decision, weighing up the fact that otherwise children may not go to school because of possible continued quarantine.

-Compulsory vaccination for all yes or no?;

I am in favour because deniers not only endanger themselves but also endanger the health of others. We are not, of course, going to vaccinate them by force, but they must suffer the consequences of their recklessness: not being able to travel, go to a concert or a restaurant. I believe that there should be compulsory vaccination throughout Europe.

-Do you think it is right that the German parliament recently voted for the compulsory vaccination of medical and nursing staff?;

Yes, because the responsibility of those who entrust their health to them is great. They have until March to do it. Otherwise they must accept their dismissal. But the decision was taken too late in Germany and it will not help the fourth wave, maybe it will help the fifth wave...

«Miniature» side effects of the vaccine against the disease

-What do you say to those who fear side effects of the vaccine?;

Any side effects - and if they do occur - are only a tiny fraction of what anyone suffering from coronavirus would suffer, and not just for two or three days. I will give you a different example: At the Vatican, at a press conference, I was asked by an American journalist what I had to say about the 6,000 deaths from vaccination in the United States.

-And what did you answer?;

The number was initially horrifying, but these were deaths whose cause had not been verified. In the same time frame, 150 million Americans were vaccinated. If 1% had been seriously affected by coronavirus 1% would have killed 1.5 million people! Even if 6,000 had died because of the vaccine the difference is huge. There is no alternative to vaccination and the risk is zero.

-Vaccine deniers believe that the vaccine has not been adequately tested, is this true?;

The research is not new at all. What is new is its use against a new virus. The mRNA technology has been used for 20 years for drugs and the important thing is that they are destroyed, completely disappear from the body in two days, and cause no long-term side effects or problems at all. We know this very well from e.g. cancer treatment. Therefore, the concerns are not justified. The real problem is that many people no longer believe the science...

-Deniers also counter that vaccinated people can also get sick....

Yes, indeed 100% coronavirus is not treated with vaccines, nor all variants, which is why some people get sick despite vaccination. But we know at the same time that they will get very much less sick than the unvaccinated. We are much, much safer if we are vaccinated.

-Should stricter measures be taken for the festive period?;

Yes, I am absolutely in favour. The most effective measure is to limit contact, because it has a direct effect and limits transmission. Wearing a mask, keeping your distance, avoiding gatherings are essential measures. To do otherwise would be foolish. The virus thrives on the fact that people meet. The consequence of these restrictions is that cases are declining in Germany.

-When they are reduced, shouldn't the measures be relaxed?;

When they come down a lot, yes, but not yet. Reduction alone is not enough. It is a good sign but we must remain cautious for a while.

-You see a new lockdown?;

We need to take smart local measures and not impose a general lockdown, because people are tired and society will no longer participate.

-What criteria should doctors use to decide who to treat when ICUs are full?;

It is an indescribably difficult decision. The decisive criterion for the treating physicians should be the likelihood of a successful outcome of the treatment. Under no circumstances, however, should a distinction be made between vaccinated and non-vaccinated persons, even if the latter are responsible.

-Some people question the constitutionality of the restrictive measures, how do you see the issue?;

The German Constitutional Court ruled that they are in line with the Constitution and the principle of proportionality because they aim to protect the life and health of citizens. Many constitutionalists believe that the compulsory vaccine is also constitutional. Debates on this are perfectly legitimate. We live in democracies and we can have different opinions, even wrong ones. But what is not allowed is violence. In my own house they threw paint and wrote abusive slogans against me... Also, constitutional rights contain duties. If my behavior leads to the transmission of a virus or the death of my fellow citizens, I must accept the restriction of my freedom since it stops where it touches the freedom of another.

-What is your opinion on conspiracy theories and those who invoke them?;

There are unfortunately some very silly theories floating around, but in democracies one has the right to absolute nonsense. But even if they do not believe in the existence of the virus, they must apply the laws and not endanger others by not using a mask in enclosed spaces, for example. Otherwise we are talking about the tyranny of the unvaccinated. Three quarters of Germans are in favour of vaccination. The 25% minority cannot impose their opinion and must respect the right of others to have their freedom and normality restored.

-How much distance separates us from the omicron to the omega, the end of the pandemic?;

We will never be able to completely eradicate viruses. We have to learn to live with the virus until we achieve the much-needed immunity. When that will happen no one knows. But at some point the coronavirus will become like the flu virus and we will be vaccinated once a year. You know, when the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Latin America they spread contagious diseases like measles, which wiped out 80% of the population because they had no immunity of any kind. At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, we had no defense either. But in the meantime we have the vaccines.