By: V4 Agency
Hungary will receive its first shipment of the coronavirus vaccine in three days, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said in his Facebook video after a meeting of the Operative Board coordinating Hungary’s pandemic response.
“We’ve entered the decisive phase of the battle”, Hungary’s prime minister said.
During the Operative Board meeting they have repeatedly reviewed and approved Hungary’s vaccination plan, Mr Orban said, adding that doctors, nurses and hospital staff fighting for the lives of patients in intensive care units will be the first to be inoculated.
Mass vaccination in Hungary will commence later, PM Orban said, adding that the exact date when the programme could begin was still unclear. The decision on what type of vaccine will be used depends on the approval process handled by the EU and the Hungarian authorities, the premier stressed. Hungary is in talks with everyone, and talks about vaccines that have yet to be approved are also ongoing with the east and west, the United States, Europe, Russia, China and Israel, he said.
The prime minister repeatedly emphasized that vaccination will be voluntary and available free of charge, and asked those who wish to be inoculated to register.
The Operative Board also examined the digital version of the vaccination verification form developed by Hungary’s interior ministry. The government wants those who have already been inoculated (and are, thus, immune) and those who have recovered from the disease to have such a verification form, Mr Orban said, adding that this was consistent with an EU plan for the introduction of digital passports.
PM Orban urged people to continue to comply with the restrictions until mass vaccinations begins, and to take care of each other during the holidays.
“If we stick together and look after each other, we can curb the spread of the virus like we’ve already done once before. Every life matters,” Viktor Orban said.