Dispute over vaccine certificate intensifies in Hungary

Hungarians are divided into two groups by the issue of vaccine passports. Some support the introduction of the new card while others are opposed to it. There are big differences in attitude based on age, place of residence, and educational levels according to the result of the joint research of Pulzus Kutató and Napi.hu.

The government has decided that the Hungarian state would introduce a document certifying protection against the virus, which can be obtained by those who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus or have proven to have contracted the disease, Gergely Gulyás, the leader of the Prime Minister’s Office, announced last Thursday. The new official document is for those who have already received the second vaccination against the coronavirus. In this case, the document will not include a period of validity but will record the date of administration of the vaccine, as there is no precise information yet about the effectiveness given by each vaccine, writes Napi.hu.

By the 17th of February, almost 350 thousand people had been vaccinated in Hungary, of which about 135 thousand have received the second vaccination. That means that 135 thousand people could get the new plastic card, which could provide different exemptions.

Based on the vaccination schedule,

healthcare workers will be vaccinated first, followed by elderly and chronic patients.

The use of vaccination certificates as an official document is a divisive issue: according to the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ), in general, the proposed certificate has legitimacy to be made and used. However, an important question is whether someone who is unable to get the vaccine through no fault of their own will be discriminated against. Hungary is not alone with this delicate issue, as several EU member states are considering creating a similar card. In addition, many companies, including hotels and airlines, are experimenting with a certificate.