In an online press conference this early afternoon, Hungary’s Chief Medical Officer Cecília Müller said that the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic has arrived to Hungary. Citing latest data on infections in Hungary, Müller said that with 4,385 new cases of COVID-19, 4,836 patients hospitalized and 411 people on ventilators, we are witnessing an upward trend in the spread of the virus.
Because of the current situation, the chief medical officer said, the Hungarian Government has decided to speed up the administration of COVID-19 vaccines, in order to inoculate as many Hungarians, as early as possible. This means that while Hungary will not pile up reserves of the jab, the highest possible number of citizens will receive at least the first dose of the vaccine. The CMO confirmed that already the first dose of the vaccine triggers an immune reaction which prevents against severe stages of the disease.
Meanwhile, according to Cecília Müller, everybody will receive the second dose of the vaccine. She reminded that in Hungary all five types of vaccines trigger strong immune responses and provide protection against severe or fatal stages of the virus.
“We have arrived at the stage of the crisis, when it is only the vaccine that can break the upward trend of the virus,” CMO Müller said.
“I urge all of you, particularly the members of the elderly age group, that when the general practitioner calls, take the opportunity and get vaccinated,” Cecília Müller said, adding that while the vaccine saves lives, not administering the shot comes with serious risks.
By speeding up the vaccination process, Hungary aims to vaccinate all those who have signed up to receive the jab by the Easter holidays.