ATHENS – Some 66 politicians taken care of, the New Democracy government on Jan. 11 opened a digital platform for people over 85 to register to get the first batch of the COVID-19 vaccine, a second shot required three weeks later.

The inoculations are due to begin Jan. 20 although there are concerns that those with allergies could suffer severe side effects that couldn’t be controlled unless they were in medical care for at least 15 minutes after getting the shot.

Deputy Minister for Digital Governance Giorgos Georgandas told SKAI TV that citizens must first register on the paperless prescription platform on the gov.gr website, with their AMKA social security number and Taxisnet codes. 

If unable to do so, they can seek help from their local pharmacy or Citizens’ Service Center (KEP) and then after being confirmed as having paperless prescriptions, they can then log on to the new platform at emvolio.gov.gr.

After signing up for their inoculation, they will receive a message of where and when it will take place. The government first said at least 70 percent of the population of some 10.5 million people need to take the vaccine to control the pandemic but that has been lowered to 50 percent with no explanation why that changed.