New Greek minister tells health workers to get jab

Greece's new health minister urged healthcare workers to get vaccinated on Tuesday.

It came one day before a deadline that mandates vaccination or face suspension. Athanasios Plevris said vaccinations were important for the safety of the healthcare workers but also for public health.

Athanasios Plevris said "the same way a doctor or healthcare worker has the right not to be vaccinated, a patient with a tumour has the right to be treated by a doctor who has been vaccinated". Vaccines are freely available in Greece to anyone over the age of 12.

Athanasios Plevris took over the ministry from Vasilis Kikilias, who was appointed tourism minister after a government reshuffle, prompted by an August spike in COVID-19 infections and wildfires that caused public discontent, according to recent opinion polls. around 5.8 million people among the population of 10.7 million have completed their vaccination schedule.