Growing COVID-19 pandemic numbers drive young Greeks to get vaccinated

New Democracy government campaigns trying to persuade anti-vaxxers to be inoculated against a hard-charging resurgence of COVID-19 have largely failed but the jumping number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths has convinced many, especially the young, to rush for their shots.
Citing the most recent data, Kathimerini said that the profile of those wanting to be protected is reaching younger people, especially with worry that it takes two shots weeks or months apart to be fully protected and that some who got only one dose are still susceptible.
The number of cases has begun passing 7,000 daily, some 15 times what it was earlier in the summer before the government vaccination scheme called Eleftheria (Freedom) stalled badly.
The fourth wave of the pandemic has apparently scared the wits into many of those who were skeptical or afraid of side effects or other reasons not to get the shots.
It’s unclear what effect the soaring pandemic has had on anti-vaxxers who doubt the safety or efficacy of the vaccines that work, and those who think it’s part of an international conspiracy to alter their DNA or control their minds.
Since Nov. 1, bookings have continued to rise almost exponentially, with a total of 225,547 in the first 10 days, the newspaper noted, and that appointments for a first shot have especially increased in hard-core areas of resistance, such as Drama, Kilkis, Pella, Pieria, Serries, Ilia and West Attica.
Those areas had vaccination coverage of less than 50 percent and held back the fight to reach 70 percent, which is what health officials said is needed to beat back the pandemic. Less than 62 percent of the country is fully protected.
In Thessaloniki, which has also been hard hit by the fourth wave and has been a symbol of defiance against vaccinations and health measures, people are also beginning to book their shots to get protected.
As Greece’s public hospitals have been overwhelmed with rising cases of COVID-19 being spread by anti-vaxxers not ordered to be inoculated, the New Democracy government is said to be thinking of conscripting private doctors to help.
Private physicians were ordered during lockdowns when the pandemic began in early 2020 to assist after most refused a call to provide services, and private hospitals weren’t being fully used either.
Health Minister Thanos Plevris, who has no experience in the health field, said the private doctors would be directed to join the fight if not enough of them volunteer to deal with a resurgence of the Coronavirus, said Kathimerini. “In order to strengthen the hospitals, people (doctors) are leaving Athens, which is still not under pressure, to help in other regions, but we have also given incentives to private doctors with an amendment,” the minister said during a visit to the city of Larissa in central Greece where the viral load is high.
“I want to be clear on that. If private doctors do not respond to the incentives, we will be forced to issue a requisition order,” he said, without explaining what the incentives would be otherwise.
Even as the number of cases has set records, he said there won’t be any lockdowns again as the government has instead required the unvaccinated to show proof of negative COVID tests to get into most public spots.
He again urged people to be vaccinated, a persuasion campaign that has failed and keeps being repeated although only some 61 percent of the population of 10.7 million has been vaccinated, short of the 70 percent needed to beat back the pandemic.
He also said that unvaccinated minors will have to show a negative COVID self-test that can’t be verified against any identification – not molecular or rapid tests – if they want to get into establishments where anti-vaxxers are allowed to mix with the vaccinated.
Plevris said he wants a probe into reports that some gynecologists are recommending that pregnant women not be vaccinated against COVID-19.
That alleged advice came as the number of cases was setting records and had the New Democracy government scrambling over how to slow it, requiring the unvaccinated to show negative COVID tests to enter most public places.
In a letter, Plevris asked the Panhellenic Medical Association to examine the relevant complaints, “and to judge whether such medical advice contradicts the rules of medical science and endangers the health of patients,” said Kathimerini.
The association said that it assists local medical groups which have the authority to investigate such complaints and will ensure that action is taken in proven cases, the paper said.
There have been several cases of pregnant women with severe COVID-19, including a 40-year-old nurse who was in intensive care at the University Hospital of Larissa in central Greece and a 38-year-old who died in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, her mother saying her doctor told her not to get the shot.
That would go against the recommendations of Greece’s scientific agencies, including the Hellenic Obstetrics and Gynecology Society which issued guidelines about getting vaccinated.
Read more at thenationalherald.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: pixabay.com
16/08 21:08
Hollywood actress Demi Moore enjoys her Greek holidays on yacht
16/08 21:03
Legendary “Christina O” yacht passes thru the Isthmus of Corinth in Greece (video)
16/08 20:50
Outgoing British Premier Boris Johnson continues Greek holidays (video)
16/08 18:00
Greece records 73,210 new Covid-19 cases and 258 fatalities on August 8-14
16/08 12:47
12/08 15:08
AP report: CDC drops quarantine and distancing recommendations for COVID-19
12/08 15:06
US Ambassador to Athens meets with Greek Health Ministry leadership
12/08 15:06
US Ambassador to Athens meets with Greek Health Ministry leadership
12/08 15:01
12/08 14:53
Greek museums to organize free concerts and tours on Friday August 12 marking full moon
09/08 21:16
IATA launches AVSEC Insight Platform to assist managing business security risks
09/08 21:04
Dominican Republic among UNWTO members recording strong tourism rebound
09/08 21:00
Greek Culture Ministry's project for the protection of the medieval city of Rhodes
09/08 18:08
Greece records 100,421 new Covid-19 cases and 314 fatalities for August 1-7
09/08 16:12
Archbishop of America: Greek-Americans to fund reconstruction of Balikli hospital
08/08 14:12
Greek Tourism Minister: This year sector proved that is Greece's heavy industry
07/08 13:57
28 lighthouses to open for the public in Greece on August 21
04/08 14:16
Protection and recording of rare biodiversity of 20 archaeological sites in Greece
03/08 23:18
Restoration works to historic Syntagma square of Athens almost completed
03/08 23:10
Greek Tourism Minister meets Ambassadors of Sweden and Norway
03/08 19:13
Greek Prime Minister says record tourism money can’t buffer country’s economic slide
03/08 14:07
Samos Young Artists Festival at Pythagorio Ancient Theatre on August 7-13
03/08 13:21
Greece offers Saudi Prince royal treatment: 350 limos and Athens Acropolis tour
02/08 23:26
Greece records 122,230 new Covid-19 cases and 355 fatalities on July 25-31
02/08 09:50
British Museum offers only to loan Athens Parthenon marbles to Greece
02/08 09:37
UNWTO: Global tourism consolidates strong recovery amidst growing challenges
02/08 09:29
Culture Minister: At least 16,000 people visit Athens Acropolis daily this summer
01/08 20:54
Medical Tourism: Personal Doctor platform opens in Greece on Monday
01/08 09:47
Undated wreck of exploded ship found off Kythnos island in Greece
29/07 14:02
Spain imposes minimum spending for Non-European Union tourists
29/07 00:38
Greek government announces subsidy programme for purchase of e-vehicles
28/07 23:32
Media: Electric aircraft to revolutionize travel and protect ecosystem in Greece (video)
28/07 19:23
Impressive copy of Aphrodite of Milos statue revealed on the Greek Island
28/07 18:40
Greek island of Corfu hosts Prince Edward and British royals
28/07 17:20
German Foreign Minister: Greece one of our closest partners in Europe
28/07 12:28
7th International Documentary Film Festival 2022 'Beyond Borders' on Castellorizo island
28/07 11:49
10th consequent Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for Athens Walking Tours
28/07 00:46
UNWTO sets out shared goals and opportunities for sector in Paraguay
28/07 00:26
IATA: States progress towards long term aspirational goal on aviation emissions
28/07 00:15
Sinking averted: Grounded luxury yacht safely anchored in Greek island of Mykonos (videos)
28/07 00:13
Greece and Saudi Arabia ink 16 business deals in Athens on Wednesday
28/07 00:02
Bank of Greece: Higher tourism receipts in 2022 to lead to improved economic growth
27/07 23:48
Travel Market Report: Why shoulder season is the next big tourist trend
27/07 14:20
Fewer asylum seekers but more refugee arrivals up in Greece during June 2022
27/07 00:08
26/07 17:18
Greece records 136,077 new Covid-19 cases and for July 18-24
26/07 15:23
Signing of business deals between Greek and Saudi companies on Wednesday
25/07 21:15
Special climate envoy addresses meeting on 'Our Ocean - Greece 2024' in Athens
25/07 17:08
Athens metro stations to close on selected dates this summer
25/07 15:50
Authentic Marathon Swim | Swimmers from 14 countries supported North Evia
25/07 14:23
Wildfires contained on the Greek island of Lesvos and Ilia prefecture
23/07 00:43
International Air Transport Association issues statement on Dublin Airport charges
23/07 00:09
'Saristra' festival returns to the Greek island of Kefalonia on July 29-31
22/07 21:58
Four-month-old roe deer, named 'Emilios' rescued in Xanthi of Northern Greece
22/07 19:53
Media: Furor in Greece over plan invading protected environmental Natura sites
22/07 15:49
22/07 15:06
Greece's Thessaloniki Urban Transport staff continue mobilisations during August
21/07 21:53
21/07 20:50
21/07 19:40
Media report: Greece rakes in tax and tourist receipts but won’t cut food tax
21/07 18:33
Minister: Duration of Greek passports doubled from five years to ten
21/07 17:44
Greek government adopts 12 measures for fire-stricken households and firms
20/07 23:11
Cyprus Agriculture Minister welcomes win-win deal on halloumi cheese
20/07 19:26
European Union sanctions against Russia push Greece’s fur business toward end
20/07 19:22
AP: Fire subsides in Penteli but reaches people’s yards in Megara of Greece (video)
20/07 17:22
Molecular tests against COVID-19 to record possible mutation at five Greek airports
20/07 14:07
Bus routes changed due to destructive fires in Attica Region
20/07 10:34
Sick air traffic controller draws attention to shortages at smaller airports in Greece
19/07 21:02
Dozens of international celebrities choose Greece again for vacations this year (video)
19/07 19:22
Medical Tourism: Greek parliament approves assistive reproduction bill
19/07 18:21
Greece records 148,435 new Covid-19 cases between July 11-17
19/07 18:13
Organic olives and olive oil from Sparta in Greece studied by American universities
19/07 16:17
US Ambassador to Athens visits Greek village of Diplatanos Thermou
18/07 09:39
Very high risk of fire again on Monday in five Greek regions including Attica
17/07 21:48
Prime Minister: Greece and France stand united against global climate crisis
16/07 13:25
Government: Greece in 12 countries worldwide with full legal equality of women and men
16/07 13:01
IATA: Canadian government urgently needs to remove COVID-19 travel restrictions
16/07 11:34
Greek FinMin pressures banks and servicers for more private debt settlement deals
16/07 10:21
Tourist swept out to sea in Northern Greece saved by holding beachball
15/07 22:35
Village of Melabes in Rethimno of Greece evacuated as widlfire approaches
15/07 21:35
Tourism statistics inform United Nations reports on sustainable development
14/07 23:20
IATA: Premature return to pre-pandemic slot rules risks prolonged disruption
14/07 21:42
"Wolf of Wall Street" Jordan Belfort parties in Greek island of Mykonos
14/07 14:14
14/07 00:12
Thousands of olive trees donated to restore groves of Ancient Olympia in Greece
13/07 20:14
13/07 20:05
Young tourists surprised to meet Greek Prime Minister at Athens International Airport
13/07 16:51
High risk of fire forecast in five Greek regions on Thursday
13/07 14:30
13/07 11:43
OAG survey: U.S. travel demand remains strong for 2022 despite inflation
13/07 09:55
Greek Minister discusses natural gas contingency plan with US Ambassador
12/07 22:37
12/07 21:50
Greece records 13,623 new Covid-19 cases per 1 million people in July 4-10
12/07 21:00
Greek parliament approves amendment to cap profit margins in home appliances
12/07 00:20
UNWTO: Advancing safe mobility for stronger travel sector recovery
11/07 21:32
American ethnomusicologist Christopher C. King receives honorary Greek citizenship
11/07 21:15
11/07 15:19
The first Japanese park of the Greek capital of Athens opens its gates
10/07 21:28
Chinese head of OLP: Piraeus port a significant international hub in all areas of activities
10/07 19:35
Greece records 13,306 new Covid-19 cases and 28 fatalities on Sunday
Outgoing British Premier Boris Johnson continues Greek holidays (video)
Hollywood actress Demi Moore enjoys her Greek holidays on yacht
Legendary “Christina O” yacht passes thru the Isthmus of Corinth in Greece (video)
Greece records 73,210 new Covid-19 cases and 258 fatalities on August 8-14
AP report: CDC drops quarantine and distancing recommendations for COVID-19
Greek museums to organize free concerts and tours on Friday August 12 marking full moon
US Ambassador to Athens meets with Greek Health Ministry leadership
US Ambassador to Athens meets with Greek Health Ministry leadership
Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Al Thani's ultra-luxury yacht in Greek island of Skiathos
Professor Ioannis Lianos nominated for Competition Committee chief in Greece
Greek PM and Safe Water Sports Initiative founder discuss safety issues
Speed boat operator arrested off Greek island of Spetses for drunken driving
New Athens mayor Kostas Bakoyannis visits Paris to observe city's sanitation methods
Symposium organized in Greek island of Lesvos to honor late law professor
Greek government: Higher collection rate for property tax offsets revenue loss
Greek island of Samothrace to get port upgrade, stricter contracts for ferries
Buenos Aires joins World Tourism Organization network of Tourism Observatories
Greek economic sentiment index rose significantly during August
Police operation in central Athens Exarchia district to end 4 building squats