Greece imposes steep fines on unvaccinated residents over 60

Despite the decline in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the board, the country opted to go ahead with its implementation of a vaccination mandate, which hits anyone over the age of 60 who refuses to get vaccinated with a 50 euro fine for their first citation. The fee is set to rise to 100 euros in February and by 100 euros every month forwards.

Greece’s pensioners make up more than a fifth of the country’s population of 11 million.

Greek health officials say that the threat of the fine has helped to increase the adoption rate of vaccines by more than 90 percent, according to Reuters.

Greek Health Minister Thanos Plevris said the fines are collected through the tax office, with the money going towards funding state hospitals.

"The age factor is important because of its impact on the public health service," Plevris said on Greek outlet Open TV last Sunday.

The mandate has divided public opinion, with some supporting the decision amid the surge in Omicron cases, while others expressing frustration at the undemocratic approach of the law. Some citizens voiced their anger at the law, stating that elderly folks were being punished for not being able to book a vaccination appointment ahead of the mandate’s imposition, Euronews reported.

"Why didn’t they give me an appointment earlier? It’s not my fault, but now they say that I should pay a fine. Why?" a Greek resident told the outlet.