A new, single-dose vaccine to be accepted in Hungary!
Hungarians are more and more reluctant to get vaccinated after reaching the critical milestone of 5 million inoculated people. Since the reopening, the number of vaccines administered has been stagnating.
According to Index, more than 97% of those registered have now been vaccinated in Hungary. The country remains at the forefront of vaccination in Europe. The number of fatalities and infections has been steadily declining, which could boost confidence in vaccines. However, there are still roughly 3 million people not registered for vaccination, and PM Orbán believes they pose a great risk.
In early April, Orbán predicted 6 million vaccines by mid-May and 7 million by the beginning of June. Yet the country only reached 5 million inoculated people on the 22nd of May, and the 7 million target remains out of reach.
“We are Hungarians, we wait,”
says Orbán about the huge drop in vaccination. He claims a lot of Hungarians believe that getting vaccinated will not be necessary once herd immunity is achieved (by others).
There is also a general tendency not to get the second dose. According to 24.hu, there could be several reasons behind this decision: some experienced severe side effects, some became ill before the second dose, and others have received the immunity certificate and thus are no longer motivated to get the second dose.
The six vaccines approved in Hungary continue to come in abundance from the EU procurement deal and the government purchases from the East. According to Index, a new single-dose Chinese vaccine might also be available in Hungary in the near future.
The Hungarian National Institute of Pharmacy and Nutrition (OGYÉI) is constantly reviewing new vaccines to accept in Hungary.
A Chinese vaccine called Convidecia has been granted a Good Manufacturing Practice (“GMP”) certificate by OGYÉI, meaning it meets the high production standards and guidelines of the EU and could soon be used in Hungary.
Following a thorough inspection of the vaccine’s manufacturing site and process, the certification was issued on May 21.
Similarly to the Sputnik V, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca vaccines, Convidecia is a viral vector vaccine. Its huge advantage is that it is a single-dose vaccine, and according to CanSino Biologics Inc., the developer of the vaccine, it is 65.3% effective against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection.
In addition to Hungary, the vaccine has so far been approved in China, Pakistan, Chile, and Mexico.
The single-dose vaccine could greatly advance the fight against the virus, although the next step in Hungary’s vaccination program is still uncertain because of the growing vaccine hesitancy.
Read alsoOver 90% who registered for vaccines in Hungary have received their first jab
Source: Index, 24.hu