The Italian government has decided to scrap fines imposed on about 1.7 million unvaccinated citizens under the 2022 COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni framed the move as a “signal for national reconciliation.”
In a decision passed by decree on Monday, as reported by FAZ, individuals who had refused to comply with the vaccine mandate were initially fined €100. The mandate, introduced during Mario Draghi’s tenure as Prime Minister, applied to those over 50 and workers in certain fields like healthcare and education.
However, the fines were met with fierce pushback. By November 2022, authorities had issued 750,000 fines, demanding payment within six days. Yet, only 55,000 individuals complied, while more than 1,000 filed formal objections. Ultimately, a mere 3% of the unvaccinated paid the fines.
Despite the amnesty decree, those who already paid the penalties won’t be reimbursed, a point likely to spark further complaints. The vaccination requirement itself has faced significant criticism, with detractors pointing to uneven enforcement. For instance, many unvaccinated non-citizens residing in Italy were never asked to comply. Additionally, by the time fines were sent out, the mandate had already been repealed.
This decision marks a turning point in Italy’s handling of its vaccination policies and reflects broader tensions surrounding pandemic-related mandates.
