Unvaccinated Individuals Allegedly Shortening Lives of Vaccinated Population, According to Brinkhaus
In an interview with "Welt am Sonntag," Ralph Brinkhaus, a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party and the leader of the Union parliamentary group, has called for a shift in perspective in the debate on increasing vaccination rates. Brinkhaus, who is part of the cautious team in this debate, expressed his opinion that it is time to question the extent to which the unvaccinated are restricting the lives of the vaccinated.
During the interview, Brinkhaus stated that there is too much discussion about the alleged indirect vaccination mandate and not enough about the rights of the vaccinated. He believes that the vaccinated are currently feeling angry towards the unvaccinated, as they are not fully regaining their freedoms.
Brinkhaus anticipates that hoteliers, clubs, and organizers will only allow vaccinated individuals into their establishments in the future. He also advocates for a quick return to normality, despite the presence of a residual risk.
It is important to note that as of mid-2025, COVID-19-related restrictions in Germany no longer include vaccine mandates or major legal differentiation in rights between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at the general population level. The last significant vaccine mandate applied specifically to health care workers, requiring proof of vaccination or recovery, but broader proposals for mandates (including for those aged 60+) were rejected in 2022 and have not been reintroduced.
Moreover, no COVID-19 vaccine is required for entry into Germany as of 2025, indicating that at the level of international travel and presumably domestic access, vaccinated and unvaccinated people are treated equally under current rules. This relaxation of vaccine-based restrictions focuses instead on updated vaccine formulations against emerging COVID-19 variants, but without compulsory vaccination policies affecting civil rights or movement.
In conclusion, Brinkhaus's statements indicate a desire to move past Covid restrictions and return to normal life as soon as possible, emphasizing the importance of considering the rights and freedoms of the vaccinated in the ongoing debate on increasing vaccination rates. The interview with Brinkhaus was conducted by "Welt am Sonntag" and reported by the German news agency dts Nachrichtenagentur.
[1] German news agency dts Nachrichtenagentur, "COVID-19: Die Situation in Deutschland" [2] Bundesregierung, "Maßnahmen zur Bekämpfung des Corona-Virus" [3] Robert Koch-Institut, "Corona-Impfungen in Deutschland" [4] Federal Foreign Office, "Reisehinweise für Deutschland" [5] European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, "Travel recommendations for Germany"
- In the interview with "Welt am Sonntag," Brinkhaus, a prominent member of the CDU party, suggested a shift in focus from the alleged indirect vaccination mandate to the rights of the vaccinated, implying a growing frustration among the vaccinated.
- As Brinkhaus pointed out, there is a growing expectation among hoteliers, clubs, and organizers that only vaccinated individuals will be allowed entry in the future, indicating a potential bias towards vaccinated people in policy-and-legislation and health-and-wellness industries.
- Despite the residual risk of COVID-19, Brinkhaus advocated for a quick return to normality, aligning his stance with general-news reports calling for an end to long-standing restrictions and a restoration of civil rights and freedoms.
