Thread by @viktoriaserdult

1/10 Hungarian authorities have so far authorized 5 different coronavirus vaccines in the country (AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Sputnik V, Sinopharm). Let's see how the vaccination campaign is going in a country that has chosen to take a different path from the EU. A thread. 👇

2/10 So far, 292 627 Hungarians have received their jabs, 113 570 even got their second dose. These are Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. So, no matter how hard the government is criticizing Brussels, the fact is: without the EU, the total number of people vaccinated in HU would be 0.

3/10 With a population of 9,8 million, this puts the percentage of vaccinated people around 3% (including those under 18). This is slightly better than the EU average.

4/10 The vaccination campaign of healthcare workers and people living in care homes finished at the end of January. Last week, GPs around the country vaccinated 40 000 people over the age of 80 with Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

5/10 This week, GPs will continue to vaccinate the elderly, and also start vaccinating people under 60 with chronic illnesses – this time with the AstraZeneca vaccine. Vaccination centres will also start using the Sputnik V vaccine this week. reut.rs/36XhnuE

6/10 So how many Russian and Chinese vaccines will come and when? Hard to know. Hungary purchased 2 million doses of Sputnik V (enough for 1 million people), of which 40 000 doses are already in the country. The whole purchase will arrive in a course of 3 months.

7/10 The gov also bought 5 million doses of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine, enough for 2,5 million people. It has already been authorized for emergency use, but none have been delivered yet. PM Orbán said he hoped we would receive first shipment next week. dailym.ai/370BKXW

8/10 So, when will HU vaccinate its population? Depends on the doses delivered and the willingness of Hungarians to get them. While trust in vaccines is growing, many refuse to get the Chinese jab, as the government authorized it w/o the approval of the medicines agency.

9/10 Chief Medical Officer Cecília Müller said on Wednesday she hoped the vaccination of younger, healthy people may start in March. This might mean the start of mass vaccination.

10/10 PM Orbán also said that by 15th March, everyone above the age of 60 who had registered, will have gotten the first dose of the vaccine. All in all, several statements of HU gov officials hint at their hope that a partial reopening around Easter. Let's wait and see.