Coronavirus: How Many Greeks are Still Unvaccinated?

Many people in Greece have rushed out to receive their coronavirus shots now that the vaccine is readily available to all of the adult population.

However, despite efforts by the government to encourage people in Greece to receive the shot, including a check of 150 euros to young people who become inoculated, many Greeks remain unvaccinated.

According to the most recent figures, the age group of Greeks aged 70 to 79 are the most vaccinated in the country, with the percentage of those who have received both doses of the shot nearing 75%.

87% of those 18-24 are unvaccinated in Greece

Those aged 60 to 69 years follow, as just under 70% of Greeks in this age group have been fully inoculated against the virus.

Just over 66% of Greeks aged 80 and over are fully vaccinated.

A total of 53% of those in the age group 50 to 59 have received both doses of the shot, and just about 10% have received their first dose.

Shockingly, 87% of those aged 18 to 24 in Greece have not yet received either dose of the vaccine. Officials speculate that young Greeks may feel that it is not necessary to get the shot, as they are young and healthy, and believe they would be fine if they caught the virus.

Experts stress, however, that vaccinations amongst young people are particularly important as they are the most likely age group to travel and go out, and therefore the most likely to spread the virus to those who might become seriously ill.

In the slightly older group of those aged 25 to 49, 57.7% of Greeks are unvaccinated.

Proof of vaccine or negative PCR test required to travel to islands

While refusing the vaccine puts the public in danger of illness, it may also impact people’s summer plans in Greece.

As of Monday, July 5, all travelers who wish to visit the Greek islands will have to show either proof of coronavirus vaccination or recovery from the virus; proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure; or a negative rapid test that must have been conducted 42 hours before setting out on their journey.

The new ruling was announced at a Thursday press conference by Deputy Civil Protection Minister Nikos Hardalias.

Additionally, all those who are 12 years of age or older are advised to take a self-test before their return trip, according to Hardalias.

The new measures regarding islands were announced after a meeting of the Greek Health Ministry’s committee of experts on the course of the coronavirus pandemic.

Greece records 619 coronavirus cases, 6 deaths

Greece recorded 619 new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday, and just 8 of Sunday’s total cases was identified during routine Covid-19 testing of tourists at the country’s borders.

Currently, there are 177 patients with the coronavirus on ventilators in Greece, and six people suffering from the coronavirus passed away in the country over the past 24-hour period.

Of the 619 new coronavirus cases recorded in Greece in the past 24 hours, 305 were located in Attica, home to the Greek capital city of Athens, and 71 were found in Crete.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, a total of 425,964 cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in the country, including all those who have recovered from the virus.

Of the cases diagnosed in Greece in the past seven days, 107 are associated with foreign travel and 1,182 have been linked to contact with a known case.

Of the 177 patients intubated currently, 85.3% are over the age of 70 or suffer from preexisting conditions.

Additionally, a total of 2,700 patients have been discharged from ICUs around the country since the beginning of the pandemic.

The six new deaths recorded on Sunday bring the total number of fatalities in the country to 12,737; 95.2% of those who have passed away with the virus were over the age of 70 or suffered from underlying health issues.