Chief epidemiologist calls for Hungarians’ trust in vaccinations

Hungary’s chief epidemiologist has encouraged the public to place trust in vaccinations against the coronavirus, arguing that those licenced by the European and Hungarian authorities will definitely be effective.

Speaking to public news broadcaster M1 late on Tuesday, János Szlávik of the Budapest South Pest Hospital said it could not be ruled out that the coronavirus will “stay with us for the whole of next year”.

“If we are lucky, we may breathe freely again in the summer” but sanctions may still be needed in the autumn in order to prevent minor epidemics, he added.

Some believe that the coronavirus will be around in the upcoming years or even decades but it will not cause serious problems and fatalities like this year because several effective vaccinations will be available, he said.

In response to a question, Szlávik said he would choose “any vaccine that becomes available here”. People die every day or end up in hospital and intensive care as a result of coronavirus infection, he said. And it can be prevented with the help of vaccination, he added.

Asked about a new mutation of the virus spreading in the UK, he said it is spreading at a much higher rate.

The infection is spreading in southern England 4 or 5 times faster than in other areas, especially among people aged under 60, he said.

Whether the new mutation is more severe or whether it is resistant against current vaccinations is still being examined, he added.

• Over 300,000 register for vaccination in Hungary

Read alsoOrbán cabinet: Vaccination of health workers to start on Dec 27

Source: MTI