Only one third of Romanians trust vaccines as Western Europe intensifies immunization

A recent survey of the European Union showed that only one in four Romanians show any interest in medical innovations and discoveries, writes Cristian Gherasim, Bucharest correspondent.

The recent Eurobarometer comes as Romania is registering a record high number of COVID cases and the highest mortality rate in the entire European Union. The country has the second lowest vaccination rate in the EU, coming a close second after Bulgaria.

The survey shows that Romanians are among the least influenced out of all Europeans by matters of science, and moreover, it shows that Romanian have a fear of technological progress which tends to intensify together with the education gap.

Thus, one in five Romanians believes that science has a negative impact on society. Most Romanians believe that viruses were created in the laboratory to control population freedom, and half of those questioned believe that the cure for cancer exists, but it is hidden for commercial reasons.

Even more striking is that a third of Romanians believe that humans have lived at the same time with dinosaurs, and only one third believe that vaccines are good against the epidemic which might explain some of the reasons Romanians are dodging the vaccines. Plummeting coronavirus vaccines interest in Romania comes from a long-standing mistrust in authorities, vaccines skepticism, as well as officials’ poor approach in dealing with the virus. Hospital, healthcare workers and ICUs across the country are overwhelmed. Healthcare specialists warned weeks in advance that the 4^th wave will hit Romania hard.

Romania is now trying to weather a perfect storm. Romania was the first in the EU to lift restrictions and relax other measures, but next-to-last in terms of vaccination rates.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, countries in Western Europe are pushing hard to get as many people as possible vaccinate. For example a brothel in Vienna offers guests 30 free minutes with "a lady of their choice" in exchange for vaccination. The unexpected offered from the Austrian capital is aimed at bringing up vaccination numbers. The uncanny offer gives clients a 30 minutes plus bonus to every customer who wants to get vaccinated there.

The brothel thus hopes to help increase the vaccination rate, but also to increase the number of customers that has decreased due to the pandemic. After a dose of vaccine, visitors receive a free 30-minute session with a girl of their choice. The brothel encourages men and women to visit it for vaccinations this month.

Austria has been going through a spike in the number of Covid cases. Infection rates have skyrocketed and the country’s authorities have announced that additional measures have been imposed in order to halt the further spread of the virus and protect public health. Austria now has a new “2-G-Rule” in place, which refers to the vaccination and recovery requirements. This means that all persons, including travellers, are now required to present valid proof of vaccination or recovery in order to be permitted access to different indoor areas while in Austria.

Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg said Austria's latest restrictions would probably remain in place during the winter holidays.

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