Hungary starts using China’s Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine in EU first
- ‘This is an important day as we begin inoculations with the Chinese vaccines,’ Prime Minister Orban says
- He also said the country cannot yet ease its partial lockdown as a third Covid-19 wave has boosted new cases
“This is an important day as we begin inoculations with the Chinese vaccines,” Viktor Orban said in a video on his Facebook page. “This also gives me hope that those in charge of the defence effort can also get in line perhaps next week.”
It was not immediately clear whether this meant Orban or any of his cabinet would be vaccinated next week. Orban’s press chief did not immediately respond to an emailed question.
“The situation is not easy as we have the good news that many vaccines have arrived and the number of people inoculated will increase,” Orban said. “However, the third wave is threatening Hungary.”
As of Wednesday, Hungary had reported 410,129 cases with 14,552 deaths. Some 471,000 people have been vaccinated, representing nearly 5 per cent of Hungary’s population based on a government tally.
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“We cannot yet speak of any easing (of restrictions),” Orban said, apparently walking back on a tentative timetable unveiled early this month, which projected decisions about easing as soon as next Monday, with a view to reopening around Easter.
