As Vaccination Campaigns Falter, CEE Countries Get Creative

"Sometimes it's not enough to copy solutions … It is important to understand how they will work in our mentality, and consider carefully whether we have a solution that will have a greater impact for the same [amount of] money and which will be the result of understanding what is behind vaccination hesitation," Lauri Korajlija said.

Cash, food, free tickets and lotteries

A view of a COVID-19 vaccination point for Wroclaw students at High School in Wroclaw, Poland. Photo: EPA-EFE/MACIEJ KULCZYNSKI POLAND OUT.

In Romania, vaccination rates have all but collapsed in recent weeks. Experts attribute the declining interest to vaccine scepticism, particularly in rural areas. Romania has vaccinated only around 4.8 million of a total population of more than 19 million people.

As demand for vaccines gradually fell, authorities have resorted to strategies to stimulate vaccination, setting up inoculation centres at Bucharest international airport and even offering free snacks - portions of mici - popular grilled minced meat rolls - at markets.

They also promote vaccination at top touristic sites such as the so-called Dracula castle in Transylvania, which both Romanian and EU tourists can visit without paying if they take a jab at the same time.

In Croatia, where 37.3 per cent of the total population have been vaccinated, authorities in the northern Krapina-Zagorje County have been encouraging citizens to get vaccinated by giving out free day tickets to local spas and thermal baths.

At the end of June, Croatia's Public Health Institute organised a free concert by the well-known musician Djani Stipanicev who sang for vaccinated fans after publicly receiving his second jab.

In Slovakia, a...