VIDEO – Covid-19: does the monthly fine of 100 euros convince the unvaccinated in Greece?

“This is the price to pay for health”. At the end of November, the Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, announced the introduction, from January 16, of a fine of 100 euros for those over 60 years unvaccinated against Covid-19. “This is protection, not punishment”, he added. This financial sanction will be renewed every month until the interested parties take the plunge. Less than two weeks before the entry into force of this new measure, a TF1 team went there to take the temperature.

The government will soon “hit” their wallets. And yet, many Greeks have blown out their 60 candles without having received a dose of anti-Covid vaccine. At the microphone of TF1, some continue to display their skepticism. “No vaccine. I’m not vaccinated, no”, affirms a man crossed in the street. “Take my money, you won’t take it to heaven”, gets carried away by another passerby.

Words difficult to take for the many retirees who come to receive their booster dose. “Everyone needs to be vaccinated. Me, I did. Why don’t the others do it and put me in danger?”cries a woman.

Currently, people over 65 occupy half of intensive care beds in Greece. For the country’s scientific committee, fining the elderly is therefore justified. “The number of first injections in this age group was no longer increasing despite the restrictions. Since the announcement of the measure a month ago, nearly half of the people concerned have made an appointment”, underlines Gikas Magiorkinis, epidemiologist and member of the scientific committee with the Greek government.

Despite everything, this decision continues to be debated among the population, including among residents who have already completed their vaccination schedule. “I am for the vaccine obligation but I think the fine is unfair. For some, 100 euros less per month is enormous”, protests a Greek. “When the explanations are not enough, it takes the hard way”, hammers another.

Greece is among the European countries with the lowest vaccination coverage rate. Only 68% of the population has completed their vaccination schedule. A figure lower than the European Union average (69%). More than 21,000 people have died since the start of the pandemic in Greece.