More than 40,000 people took to the streets of Athens and Salonika in northern Greece to protest against government plans to tighten vaccination rules related to COVID-19. The protests were organized in various parts of the country, and the protesters demanded the repeal of a law that obligates medical workers and elderly citizens to get vaccinated.
During the event, a banner reading "No to mandatory vaccination" was displayed, and it was demanded to preserve the individual's right to choose regarding vaccination. Police were deployed outside government buildings in Athens, where protesters tried to break through barriers. In addition, medical professionals and educators announced a 24-hour strike as a sign of protest.
Opponents of the new rules believe that the government does not have the right to force citizens to get vaccinated. Similar measures, in their opinion, undermine their rights to choose and personal freedom. However, the government emphasizes the importance of vaccination for public health and considers that mandatory vaccination is necessary to protect vulnerable segments of the population from dangerous diseases.