PATRAS, Greece — Main opposition SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Alexis Tsipras on Wednesday visited the city of Patras and its University Hospital where he had a meeting with the administrations of the 6th Health Region, the hospital and the heads of the clinics.

Tsipras attacked the government over the vaccinations issue, saying that "in December Health Minister Vassilis Kikilias announced two million vaccines within the first month and, as far as we know, the orders are for one million up until March".

Yesterday, he said, the prime minister had offered assurances from April onward there will be an adequate supply of vaccines and I have no reason to doubt him, he will be judged on that. But mostly he will be judged on the way the vaccines are used…the great and crucial issues is the rate of vaccination. Currently, the rate is so low that even a year from now there is no chance that we will have created immunity in society," he claimed.

Tsipras said that Greece was not currently in a phase of great pressure on its health system but he stressed the need for constant vigilance, as there were still three difficult winter months ahead. "The virus remains in the community and a third wave, as the scientists say, may return over the next period," he said.

Tsipras also noted the need to support the people on the frontline, such as doctors, nurses and healthcare staff: "We must support the National Health System, we need a new upgraded national health system."

While in Patras, the main opposition leader met with industry associations from Achaia, entrepreneurs and employees working in sectors affected by the pandemic. "If one part of the crisis is health and our fears about our survival, the other is the financial and our fears about how we will live. Currently, every Greek household lives in insecurity, both as regards health and the economy. Our proposals are specific and clear and I believe that it is necessary for the government to understand that it can't continue moving in the sphere of communications but must take measures and decisions to support the economy," Tsipras said.