Greece Launches Digital Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate 

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (center) and Health Minister Vasilis Kikilias (right).

Individuals living in Greece who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 will be able to request a digital vaccination certificate to be used when needed, announced Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis late on Tuesday.

Mitsotakis presented the document, which he described as a “Greek innovation”, during a meeting on the progress of the country’s national vaccination plan.

According to the prime minister, the document will be available online at https://www.gov.gr/ or can be requested at citizens service centers (KEP)

“Today, we begin issuing digital vaccination certificates. It is another Greek innovation. It will automatically be registered in each citizen’s email to use this certificate as he sees fit. It is also a safety precaution because only in this way can legal vaccination be confirmed,” said Mitsotakis.

Greek authorities were quick to point out however that the document contains only basic information which has been secured through QR code, unique code, and digital stamp.

PM’s proposal for EU-wide vaccination certificate

Greece’s digital certificate comes on the back of a proposal made by Mitsotakis earlier this month for an EU-wide vaccination certificate which would facilitate travel and ensure safety.

“This is not a restriction, but on the contrary it will make it easier for us to free ourselves of restrictions that Covid-19 currently places on the movement of European citizens. It is something that especially concerns tourism and the prospects of our economy, especially in view of the summer season,” he said.

The Greek prime minister’s proposal has won the backing of the European Commission, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

In view of the wide support, Mitsotakis said he will discuss the idea further during the EU leaders’ summit on January 21 and will also call for a speedier distribution of vaccines.

With regard to Greece’s vaccination plan, “everything is moving according to schedule’, he said adding that there has been “95 percent consistency on part of the residents in this extremely complicated and unprecedented procedure”.

Photo source: Hellenic National Public Health Organization (EODY)

According to the latest official figures, Greece has carried out 93,179 vaccinations with at least 92,139 people having received at least one dose.

Meanwhile, in the last 24 hours, Greece reported 566 new Covid-19 cases and 30 deaths.

Mitsotakis said next up for vaccination are those aged 80 to 84, adding that he expects all residents to have been vaccinated by the end of February.