A leading health expert has cautioned against making any coronavirus vaccine mandatory in Ireland - suggesting that enforcing it "would be extremely difficult".
Professor Anthony Staines says he "absolutely sees the benefit" of such a proposal, but it would ultimately be a much more intrusive move than requiring people to wear a mask - and could send anti-vaccination groups 'on the warpath'.
However, one Dublin campaigner says it's a move we shouldn't rule out, and that there's a 'strong case' that only those who are vaccinated should get to use shared public spaces.
It comes as after the British Health Secretary refused to rule out the possibility of making it compulsory for people to get any vaccine in the UK.
Two companies have now said early data shows their respective vaccine candidates are very effective, prompting authorities to start planning for a potential rollout.
Éilis Ryan of the Workers Party told The Hard Shoulder that we should "absolutely" think about making the vaccine mandatory when it does arrive.
She observed: "Earlier this year, we wasted precious months of time without making the wearing masks in public places mandatory.
"There is some misguided idea that if we make something mandatory, people wouldn't be inclined to go along with it - that was proved to be completely false.
"If getting a vaccine is something that public health officials say is to be encouraged in large numbers, then I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be made mandatory."
Sending a message
Ms Ryan said some people 'like clarity' about what they're expected to do, and making an approved vaccine mandatory would send a clear message about what is best practice.
She said there is a small group of people who are 'vehemently opposed' to all vaccinations, and risk taking society backwards in terms of controlling infectious diseases.
However, she suggested that there's another group of people who may have concerns but could respond well to clear rules and guidance around vaccines.
She said the process of approving the vaccinations should be transparent and subject to "full public scrutiny", noting: "I am an outspoken proponent of vaccinations, but that does not mean taking at face value the word of profit-driven corporations."
'I think airlines won't carry you unless you're vaccinated'
Anthony Staines - Professor of Health Systems at DCU - said he definitely sees the benefit of the proposal, as it would send a message that this is what everyone should be doing.
However, he argued: "On balance, I wouldn't go for it - at the very least we should do some work before making a decision.
"There is a small cohort of anti-vaccine people in our society - I think they're wrong in their beliefs, but that's another story - but they would use this as a reason to go on the warpath.
"They're probably going to cause a lot of noise about a vaccination anyway - you could argue we should bypass them. But there is a problem with requiring people to be vaccinated - it's much more intrusive than requiring people to have a mask."
He also said that no vaccination will work for some people, and there are vulnerable people - such as those receiving chemotherapy - who may not respond as well to a vaccine as others.
He suggested: "I think leadership around vaccination is going to be important, and I think you'll find airlines in particular won't carry you unless you're vaccinated.
"The practice of enforcing [a mandatory rule] would be extremely difficult - and it really would involve a big change in the way the guards operate in Ireland at the moment."
Professor Staines said it's important to listen to the points being raised, and there's perhaps a need to work with the public to find out what they would like.
However, he stressed that when the vaccine comes alone he will be 'rolling up his sleeves' to get one.
