by A.P.
(ANSA-XINHUA) – BELGRADE, FEB 15 – As Hungary joined Serbia in spearheading mass inoculation with China’s Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine in Europe, other European countries are struggling against a vaccine delivery crisis and exploring a way out of lockdown and into economic recovery.
In around a month, 14 percent of Serbia’s 6.5-million population received their first doses of vaccine against COVID-19, thanks to the 1.5 million Chinese-made doses. Following its neighbor, Hungary on Jan. 31 announced that it has reached a deal with Sinopharm, which will enable a mass immunization of 2.5 million people.
As the first shipment is supposed to arrive next week, Hungary is bound to become the first European Union (EU) member to sign up for Chinese vaccines. “This deal will speed up vaccination, which could save the lives of thousands of people and contribute to lifting restrictions sooner,” said Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.
Also on Jan. 31, German Health Minister Jens Spahn said he is “open” to the use of vaccines from Russia or China in Germany,