Zoltán Kovács, State Secretary for International Communications and Relations, has told CNN that the coronavirus vaccine is not a political issue, but one of effectiveness and reliability.
When asked why Hungary was using vaccines that were not approved by the European Union, Kovács said the Chinese and Russian vaccines have been approved in many countries around the world and Hungary trusted its scientist and doctors who approved the jabs.
Kovács said that in comparison to the vaccination programs of the United States and Israel, the European Union's strategy had failed. He added that the bloc is now two months behind schedule and the only way to combat the third wave is by speeding up vaccinations.
The state secretary added that Hungary is also abiding by EU directives when procuring the vaccines. He said Hungary has not broken a single rule by acquiring eastern vaccines. He added that Hungary expects the EU to approve the same vaccines in the coming weeks.
Kovács said that Hungary was in a race against time to halt the spread of the virus's mutant strain and to put an end to the third wave.
Photo credit: Facebook/Kovács Zoltán