ATHENS – Government spokesperson Yiannis Oikonomou referred to the introduction of mandatory vaccination for everyone over the age of 60 in an interview with OPEN TV on Wednesday, stressing that Greece is one of the first European countries to take this step but that others will follow.

“It was a difficult decision, without a doubt. But also a responsible government decision, which fully serves our strategy of keeping the economy, society and education open,” he underlined.

“First of all, the data constantly coming in from the health system show that the group that is most affected, whether this means falling ill, needing a ventilator or, unfortunately, the people who lose their lives, the vast majority are unvaccinated people over 60 years old. Secondly, in November, during this great effort to increase vaccination coverage, the smallest percentage was unfortunately from these age groups,” he added.

Oikonomou also emphasised that “the regulations and decisions of the government are fully compatible with the Constitution.