You're reading: Washington Post: Vaccine passes in Europe spur the pandemic’s second wave of protests

Washington Post: Vaccine passes in Europe spur the pandemic’s second wave of protests

By Washington Post.

Published Aug. 7, 2021 at 3:16 am

Demonstrators hold up banners and placard, one of which reads as "No to Health Pass", during protests against the compulsory Covid-19 vaccination for certain workers and the compulsory use of the health pass called for by the French government outside the Council d'Etat and Conseil Constitutionnel in Paris on August 5, 2021. - The legislation passed by parliament the week before has sparked mass protests in France but the government is determined to press ahead and make the health pass a key part of the fight against Covid-19. A valid health pass is generated by two jabs from a recognised vaccine, a negative coronavirus test or a recent recovery from infection. The legislation also makes vaccination compulsory for health-workers and carers. The pass has already been obligatory from July 21 for visits to museums, cinemas and cultural venues with a capacity of more than 50 people. (Photo by STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP)

Photo by AFP

When French President Emmanuel Macron announced a mandatory health pass last month — requiring vaccination, immunity or a recent coronavirus test to access trains, restaurants and other venues — pharmacy worker Agnès Biblot felt an immediate impact in the eastern French city of Nancy. Within days, interest in getting vaccinated surged.