Belgrade, Serbia (AP) – Vaccines from the West, Russia or China? Or nothing? This dilemma confronts the countries of Southeast Europe, where the coronavirus vaccination campaign is off to a slow start – shrouded in heavy political debate and conspiracy theories.
In countries such as the Czech Republic, Serbia, Bosnia, Romania and Bulgaria, vaccine skeptics include former presidents and some doctors. Serbian tennis champion Novak Djokovic was among those who said they did not want to be forced to undergo inoculation.
Coronavirus is a fraud or a misconception that vaccines inject microchips into people that were previously spread under harsh communist regimes. Those who at one time underwent regular mass inoculation are deeply divided over whether to obtain vaccines at all.
A recent Balkan study warns that “there is a direct link between conspiracy theories about vaccination and support for skepticism.” “Most people in the region do not plan to be vaccinated, which is significantly lower than elsewhere in Europe, where the majority favors vaccination.”
In the days after authorities opened the process, in Serbia alone, about 200,000 people applied for the vaccine. In contrast, the government signed up for 1 million Serbian 100 euros ($ 120) on the first day of epidemiological assistance.
In hopes of promoting vaccination, Serbian officials have received shots on TV. Although they will receive the Western-made Pfizer-Bioentech vaccine themselves, Russia’s Sputnik V, a country with more departments that formally seek EU membership, but many differ on whether they prefer closer ties with Moscow. Have gone.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vusic on Saturday greeted a shipment of 1 million doses of Chinese synopharm vaccine and said he would get a shot to show he was safe.
The pro-government tabloid, Informer’s latest headline reads, “Serbs prefer Russian vaccine,” as officials announced that 38% of those who applied for a shot took the Russian vaccine, while 31% wanted Pfizer-Biontech version Rough division between pro-Russians and pro-Western countries.
In neighboring Bosnia, the war-torn country, which is ethnically divided between Serbs, Bosnians and Croats, politics is also a factor, as Serbs prefer to take the administered semi-Russian vaccine, while part of Bosnia-Croat will be changed for Westerners.
Salsa Milovanovich, a 57-year-old real estate agent in Belgrade, sees all vaccines as part of the “global trafficking” of the epidemic.
“People lock up, they don’t live life anymore and live in a state of dementia and fear.”
Djokovic said he was against being forced to take the coronavirus vaccine to travel and compete but was keeping his mind open. The top-ranked tennis player and his wife tested positive in a series of zero social distance performance matches achieved in the Balkans in June with zero social distance. He and his foundation have donated 1 million euros ($ 1.1 million) to buy ventilators and other medical equipment for Serbian hospitals.
Serbian Health Ministry official Mirsad Dijlerlek called the response to the vaccine “satisfactory”, but warned the state-run RTS broadcaster that “people in rural areas generally believe in conspiracy theories, and that’s why we should talk to them and explain that in this situation.” Vaccines are the only way. “
A study by the Balkans of the Europe Policy Advisory Group, published before the launch of the regional vaccination campaign in December, found that virus conspiracy theories were believed by about 80% of citizens in the Western Balkans to join the EU. About half of them will refuse to be vaccinated, he said.
Baseless theories allege that the virus is not real or that it is U.S. Or is a biopen created by its opponents. Another popular lie is that Bill Gates, the founder of microsoft .ft, is using the COVID-19 vaccine to implant microchips in 7 billion people on the planet.
According to the Balkans think tank, low levels of information about viruses and vaccines, mistrust in governments and frequent claims by authorities to invade their countries help explain the prevalence of such beliefs.
Similar trends have been observed in some Eastern European countries.
In Bulgaria, past conspiracy theories thwarted past efforts to tackle the measles epidemic. Surveys there suggest that vaccine distrust remains high, as cases of coronavirus continue to rise. A recent Gallup international poll found that 30% of respondents wanted to be vaccinated, 46% would refuse and 24% were unsure.
Bulgarian doctors have tried to change attitudes. Former Health Minister Dr. Stefan Konstantinov joked that people should be told that neighboring Greece would stop tourists who do not get vaccinated, because “this guarantees that about 0% of the population will rush to get it.”
In the Czech Republic, where surveys show that about 40% reject vaccination, protesters at a large rally in Prague against government virus restrictions demanded that vaccination not be made mandatory. Former President Vલાclav Klaus told the crowd that the vaccine was no compromise, sharply criticizing the government’s epidemic response.
“They say everything will be solved by a miracle vaccine,” said Klaus, 79. “People should be exposed to the virus to get immunity, which experts have ruled out.” “We have to say out loud and clear that there is no such thing. I’m not going to get vaccinated. ”
In Hungary, Palestinian authorities have cracked down on misinformation about the virus, but vaccine rejection is still estimated at about 30%. Parliament passed emergency powers in March, allowing officials to take action against anyone believed to be “preventing successful defense” against the virus, or spreading “fearful” or false news. At least two people were arrested for criticizing the government’s response to the epidemic on social media, but both were not formally charged.
Romanian Health Minister Vlad Voiculescu said he relied on family doctors to “inform, schedule and monitor people after the vaccine” and that his ministry would give medical workers bonuses based on how many people come to them. Asked if such incentives would increase anti-vaccination propaganda, Voiculescu said: “I am more interested in the opinion of doctors than in the case of anti-vaccines.”
Dr. Ivica Jeremic, who has worked with virus patients in Serbia since March and tested positive for her in November, hopes that vaccination programs will gain momentum once people overcome their unfamiliar fears.
“People will realize that this vaccine is the only way to get back to normal life,” he said.
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Associated Press writers Vaseline Toshkov in Sofia, Bulgaria; Karel Janicek in Prague, Czech Republic; Justin Spike in Budapest, Hungary; And Vadim Girda of Bucharest, Romania.
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