Greece offers booster dose as thousands of health workers suspended

As from 14 September, Greek citizens will be able to receive a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, health authorities announced on Monday. Meanwhile, the government has decided to impose heavy fines after a scandal of thousands of fake vaccination certificates was unveiled.

After France, Greece decided to move on with the booster shot which will initially concern persons residing in nursing homes and persons over 60 years of age. It will also focus on people at increased risk due to diseases that do not build immunity, such as cancer patients.

According to ECDC, 64.2% of Greek population has been fully vaccinated while 67% have received the first dose.

Last week, the measure providing for the suspension of work for unvaccinated health personnel took effect, resulting in the suspension of 10,000 health personnel from work.

The move has caused severe staff shortages in the public health sector and incoming Health Minister Thanos Plevris signed on Monday an amendment allowing them to return to work if they at least receive a first dose of the vaccine.

Meanwhile, a scandal of fake vaccination certificates has raised eyebrows in Athens.

Particularly, it was revealed that a small village with 6,000 residents in northern Greece had administered 40,000 doses. The government decided to impose €5,000 fines for those involved in providing fake certificates.