In a vote on Thursday, the Austrian parliament has approved mandatory COVID-19 vaccination in the country.
Doris Bures, second president of the National Council – one of the two houses of Austria's Parliament – said that the measure "is adopted with the (necessary) majority," as quoted by AFP.
The move was supported by all parties, except the right-wing, passing with 137 votes in favour and 33 votes against it, the media outlet notes.
The development essentially makes Austria the first European country to introduce mandatory vaccination against COVID-19.
The new Compulsory Vaccination Law is expected to come into force in February and is goind to require all people aged 18 and above and registered in Austria to receive a vaccine; the measure does not apply to people younger than 18, pregnant women, and those with a medical exemption.
Starting from 15 March, compliance with the new law is going to be monitored and violators could face fines of up to 3,600 euros ($4,084).