Mandatory vaccine for those over 60 to 16 January or a fine of 100 euros per month

LAST UPDATE: 11.52

By Dimitris Gatsios

Vaccination becomes mandatory for the critical age group of 60 and over. This was announced by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during the ongoing cabinet meeting.

“Greek women and men over 60 who have not been vaccinated should have made an appointment by January 16 to make the first dose. They will have absolute priority in the system, to be vaccinated first.

Otherwise, every month an administrative fine of 100 euros will be imposed, which will be confirmed directly by the AADE and by law this money will be collected in a special fund, which will finance our hospitals. It is not a penalty but a health fee. A precautionary motive. “A boost of life, but also an act of justice towards the many more vaccinated”, stressed the Prime Minister.

The ministerial meeting, which began shortly after 11 a.m., officially deals with bills from the Ministries of Development, Labor, Finance, Immigration and Justice.

According to information, the amounts that will be confirmed will be directed to ICUs and hospitals, which are currently being tested, as executives report, by the many non-armored patients. At the same time, the measure comes after a big persuasion campaign, in which the government proceeded in stages, while it was activated, after all other provisions were exhausted.

The measure for those over 60 is coming to the fore in view of the new “Omicron” strain and after the reluctance of the specific age group to come for vaccination in November, in contrast to what other categories did.

According to officials, this is an action of “decisive urging, fair to all”, which is not addressed horizontally, but to those who, while they can, do not make a single move to save their health and the lives of others.

The entire proposal of the Prime Minister is as follows:

Let me start with an important pandemic announcement. The new “Omicron” mutation worries us and calls us to be vigilant, because it reminds us that the coronavirus can constantly surprise us as long as it finds ground to survive, especially among the unvaccinated. tables and social outings, create conditions that are likely to favor its revival.

We will know more about the “Omicron” mutation in about two weeks, but sooner or later it will certainly make its appearance in Greece as well, which is why we must continue to implement our policy with even greater speed. in other words, to save time.

Vaccinations, many tests, application of the vaccination certificate and personal protection measures. This is the answer and not a lockdown, which some people discount, without being able to often hide their greeting.

And despite the great difficulties we face – the Minister of Health will speak later to present the current situation in the National Health System – our policy at least in terms of vaccinations in the last month seems to work. Already 3 in 4 Greeks over the age of 12 have chosen to be vaccinated with the vaccine. Our country today is second in Europe in terms of daily vaccinations related to the 3rd dose. In the last few weeks alone, the total number of 1st and 3rd installment appointments has exceeded 2 million.

Let’s go, in other words better, but not as much as we should and not as much as we want. Because while all age groups respond, there is only one who insists on being late.

Of our 580,000 unvaccinated fellow citizens over the age of 60, unfortunately only 60,000 rushed to be vaccinated within the month of November. And it is mainly those over 60 who are being treated and unfortunately many of them are missing. And as we have said many times, they are unjust deaths.

Consider that in Portugal, where those over 60 have been vaccinated at a rate of 98%, if I am not mistaken, if you look at the data, the occupied ICUs and the losses are minimal. On the contrary, in Greece, and despite the great effort we have all made, the vaccination rate at these ages is still around 83%.

Therefore, these citizens must be the first to be protected, as they are often the ones who are late to go to the hospital, unfortunately aggravating their situation even more. However, preventing the hospitalization of other serious diseases.

Experts, moreover, estimate that the importance of the vaccine of a 70-year-old is equivalent to 34 vaccinations of newer ones in terms of public health.

So, we are now turning our attention to the protection of our fellow citizens, of our fellow citizens. For this reason, their vaccination becomes mandatory from now on.

It’s a decision I have to tell you that tormented me personally. However, I feel a heavier responsibility to stand by the most vulnerable, even if they may be temporarily unhappy. I have absolutely no doubt that our political decision will save human lives. Because vaccination is becoming more than mandatory. Saves lifes. It is necessary for health. It is now necessary for the whole society.

Greek women and men, therefore, over the age of 60 who have not been vaccinated should have booked their appointment by January 16, I repeat January 16, to take the first dose. They will have top priority in the system to be vaccinated first. Otherwise, every month an administrative fine of 100 euros will be imposed which will be confirmed directly by AADE. And by law this money will be collected in a special fund which will finance our hospitals.

It is not a punishment. I would say it is a price of health. A precautionary motive, a life boost but I believe it is also an act of justice for the most vaccinated. It is not possible today for some people to be deprived of the health system services they need because others stubbornly refuse to do the obvious.

My decision – I repeat – means protection and not punishment. And after what applies to health professionals, he now comes to complete the persuasion campaign that we have been following for months.

I would like to remind you that Greece was the first to set rules for controlled access to closed spaces since July. Also first, since October, opened the possibility of a third dose to all adults. And he first set the condition of full vaccination for those over 60 the administration of the third dose. It is a plan with fixed goals but also with the flexibility that circumstances require each time.

So we proceed with a method, with understanding, but also with determination. We calmly identify where we are lagging behind and intervene purposefully when we have, as the Constitution requires, exhausted any other means. This is what we are doing now with our fellow citizens over 60 who need to be vaccinated.

At the same time, however, we anticipate. That is why, in view of the holidays, the state is taking another complementary measure. From December 6 to 12, it will provide a free self-test to any adult, vaccinated or not, to identify possible asymptomatic carriers of the virus before Christmas. Exactly the same exercise will be repeated from the 3rd to the 7th of January in order to follow the course of the transmission of the pandemic during the holidays. Because it is important that we all control ourselves during the gatherings of the day. The Minister of Health will make detailed announcements tomorrow, while we have secured through the Civil Protection another 20 million self-tests for the needs of our schools.

I close by insisting on the character of our two new initiatives. They are measures of incitement and not of repression, they are just measures. Because they are not horizontal to everyone but primarily concern those whom they ultimately intend to guard. They also serve the dual purpose of making the economy and society work in parallel with the protection of public health. And finally they adapt to the situation, so that these holidays are the last ones that we will spend with our thoughts in the pandemic.

I am sure that we all understand their importance and when they come to a vote in Parliament – immediately, in the coming days – I hope the political forces will rise to the occasion. They must reject bilingualism and not hide behind findings such as “optional compulsory”. It is time to speak the language of truth and the truth is only one: the vaccine saves lives and first and foremost the most vulnerable. That is why, as I told you, it is not obligatory, it is necessary, it is necessary.