Friday’s vaccinations turned chaotic following Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s statement that Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines would finally be accessible to everyone on Friday, and Friday alone, since afterwards it would not be available for weeks. The vaccine registry database was overwhelmed and crashed early in the morning, likely due to thousands of people wanting to be vaccinated with the 100 thousand doses of the vaccine. Hungarians around the country, both registered and non-registered, ended up waiting in lines hundreds of meters long.
Hungary’s vaccination program has progressed quite well, with the country being second best in the EU in proportion to its population inoculated with at least one jab. However, hundreds of thousands of people have been eagerly awaiting their first shot. Some of them only wanted the more popular Western vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, but these, with a few exceptions, were only accessible to the elderly, healthcare workers, Olympians,
Crowded Vaccination Centers Contribute to Covid Cases in Hungary?
Hungary’s vaccination centers have been facing backlash ever since photos surfaced of how crowded certain clinics can get at times. Independent member of parliament Ákos Hadházy, known for frequently challenging the government, has asked officials to share relevant information on how many people were infected with Covid after being vaccinated, but he has not received a direct response.
A long line of people was seen in front of Semmelweis University’s Városmajori Heart and Vascular Clinic on Monday. The line of at least 500, mostly young people extended all the way to Gaál József Street. Among them were healthcare workers, emergency responders, teachers, and expectant women, awaiting their vaccination.
Vaccination Plan Changes Again, PM Orbán Sets New Summer Goal hungarytoday.hu - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from hungarytoday.hu Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A month ago, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that all people who had registered, would be vaccinated by Easter. Despite this, PMO Head Gergely Gulyás was much more cautious yesterday, speaking exclusively about vaccinating the elderly by the given time. It seems the government’s previously set goal proved to be too ambitious.
Slower than promised vaccination pace
If Hungary can begin using China’s Covid-19 vaccine then all 2.4 million people who have registered for a shot can be inoculated by Easter, PM Orbán said in his regular interview with public broadcaster Kossuth Radio almost exactly a month ago.
DK Questions Govt over Vaccine Stance on Hungarians Across the Border hungarytoday.hu - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from hungarytoday.hu Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.