Germany rejects RFK Jr claims about Covid vaccine exemption prosecutions
Germany's health minister Nina Warken and former minister Karl Lauterbach have strongly rejected RFK Jr's claims that German doctors were prosecuted for issuing COVID-19 vaccine or mask exemptions, saying prosecutions only occurred in fraud or forgery cases and that there was never an obligation for doctors to administer COVID vaccines.
Overview
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claimed on X that over a thousand German physicians and thousands of patients faced prosecution for issuing mask or vaccine exemptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
German Health Minister Nina Warken called Kennedy's statements "completely unfounded, factually incorrect" and said prosecutions were only for fraud or forged documents, not for issuing exemptions.
Warken clarified there was no obligation for physicians to administer COVID-19 vaccines and no professional bans or fines for choosing not to vaccinate.
Former health minister Karl Lauterbach and European officials criticized Kennedy, saying he should focus on U.S. health issues and noting Germany's independent courts.
Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, provided no sources for his claims; German officials emphasized patients' medical autonomy and that penalties related to false certificates, not medical advice.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present this story neutrally. They report Kennedy's allegations alongside firm denials from German officials, include direct quotes (Warken, Lauterbach), note Kennedy provided no specific examples, and add contextual facts (no general prosecution, prosecutions limited to fraud; vaccine-skeptic protests were a small minority). This balance emphasizes factual rebuttal over advocacy.
Sources (3)
FAQ
RFK Jr. claimed that more than a thousand German physicians and thousands of their patients were facing prosecution and punishment for issuing exemptions from wearing masks or getting COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic.[1]
Germany’s health minister Nina Warken called RFK Jr.’s statements completely unfounded and factually incorrect, stressing that there was never an obligation for doctors to administer COVID-19 vaccines and that prosecutions occurred only in cases of fraud or document forgery, such as fake vaccination or mask certificates.[1]
No, according to Health Minister Nina Warken, there was never any legal obligation for physicians in Germany to administer COVID-19 vaccines, and those who chose not to vaccinate for medical, ethical, or personal reasons did not face prosecution or sanctions.[1]
Prosecutions were limited to cases of fraud and document forgery, such as issuing false vaccination certificates or fake mask exemption certificates, rather than for legitimate medical advice or lawful exemptions.[1]
Former German health minister Karl Lauterbach and other European officials criticized RFK Jr., emphasizing that German courts are independent, that doctors are not punished by the government for medical decisions, and suggesting he should focus on U.S. health issues instead.[1]
History
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