The European Commission and its Representation in Romania on Tuesday launched a communication campaign on vaccination to support the efforts of national authorities in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
„Vaccination plays an essential role in fighting the pandemic. People who get vaccinated protect themselves and others against the virus,” said the EU Commission in a press release.
The envisaged campaign will consist of a 40-second video which is set to air on both Romanian TV stations and radio outlets. It consists of testimonies of people who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. The TV spot will be aired over a seven-week period.
„It is urgent that we close the vaccination gap in the EU. With the arrival of Omicron, vaccination and boosting is more important than ever. In Romania, only 39% of the population has so far been fully vaccinated, and the pace of vaccination continues to decrease,” said Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.
Kyrikides explained that vaccination gaps do not only increase the risks of severe disease, hospitalisation and loss of life, it also leaves room for more severe and transmissible variants.
„This is a risk not only for Romania but for the EU as a whole,” added Kyrikides. „We have enough safe and effective vaccines to fully cover and boost everyone in the EU, we must ensure that they are used. And let’s not forget: protecting ourselves is protecting others, our children, parents and grandparents.”
The EU has secured enough doses for all Europeans, including the necessary booster shots.
„I encourage Romanians to get the vaccine, for their sake and for the sake of those dear to them. Especially now, ahead of the Christmas holidays, when we all come together with family and friends,” said Adina Vălean, Commissioner for Transport.
The EU Commission said to date, an average of 78% of adults in the EU are vaccinated, but there are wide differences between the vaccination rates of EU Member States, where Romania only has 46.7% of its adults vaccinated.
The European Commission has secured up to 4.2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines so far, for Europeans and partner countries.