![Vasilakopoulos: Herd immunity -without vaccination- presupposes 4 million infections](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/emvolio1-scaled.jpg)
The professor of Pulmonology and Intensive Care, Theodoros Vasilakopoulos, made the nightmarish estimate that if the vaccinations do not proceed, 4 million people will need to get sick in order to achieve herd immunity.
As he noted, if the population is not vaccinated, in order to reach immunity of the herd, out of the 5 million Greeks who have been left unvaccinated, 3.5-4 million people will be infected.
“But this will have a cost in the loss of human life and the NSS will not be able to bear it. “99% of coronavirus deaths could be prevented by vaccination.”
An infection explosion in the near future
Mr. Vasilakopoulos, warned, speaking to Sky, that we will have an outbreak of cases in the near future, emphasizing that there is no safe way to restart without vaccination.
“The theory that we can open with strict protocols does not exist. With current vaccination rates, the number of daily cases will be very high. Given that the Delta strain that will prevail is 60% more contagious, we must be 60% more vaccinated and 60% more careful”, said Mr. Vasilakopoulos, reminding that in 15 days out of 500 cases we reached 3,500.
Responding to those who refuse to get the vaccine because they are afraid of the long-term consequences on the grounds that it has not been tested for a long time, he noted that with the vaccine it is exposed to the spike protein. That is, if he gets sick, he is not afraid of the consequences of exposure to the proteins of the virus and with the vaccine that the exposure is lower than he is in a natural infection, is he afraid?”, He noted.
For the Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the professor said that one is a thousand times more likely to develop it if the virus is transmitted.
Vaccinated people are much less likely to transmit the virus
Asked if the vaccinated person could transmit the virus, he explained that the chances were much lower. “I have little chance of having the virus inside me. And when I have it, I have it in such a concentration that it is much smaller than I would have it if I were unvaccinated. So the chance of transmitting it is much lower. I can not say that there is no chance, but it is so small that it is not a problem.”
Regarding the possibility of serious illness, Mr. Vasilakopoulos pointed out that it is minimal and mainly concerns people who despite the vaccine did not have a good immune response, because they were taking drugs that prevented the immune system from reacting well, such as transplant recipients, people with rheumatism and cancer patients who are immunosuppressed.
On the vaccination of minors
Regarding the vaccination of children, he said that children in the US are being vaccinated en masse, pointing out that parents should stop seeing the vaccine as taboo. “Children are very unlikely to get seriously ill and lose their lives. However, we have lost three children under the age of 18 in Greece so far and many more have been admitted to the ICU. Imagine a child alone for 10 days in a Unit, without his parents”, he added.
Finally, regarding the possibility of a new lockdown, he stressed that the country can not close because some do not want to be vaccinated. “If the situation worsens, the solution is to drastically limit the activities of the unvaccinated. In summer they can make use of mixed outdoor spaces. In winter when the temperature drops, what will happen? Will they allow them in a restaurant? He will stay at home,” he concluded.
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
![ot.gr](/wp-content/themes/whsk_otgr/common/imgs/fav.ico/favicon-32x32.png)
Latest News
![Greece’s Labor Market Trends; Job Vacancies Surge](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ot_tourismos_ergazom-600x352.png)
Greece’s Labor Market Trends; Job Vacancies Surge
According to the latest data job openings soared to a record high of 70,826 positions in the first quarter of 2024, marking a remarkable 115.6% annual increase.
![Eurostat: Inflation in Greece and Euro area at 2.5% in June](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/inflation-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Eurostat: Inflation in Greece and Euro area at 2.5% in June
Final figures on inflation for Greece came in slightly worse than the preliminary figure of 2.4%, released by ELSTAT at the start of July
![Greece Acts to Protect Consumers amid Soaring Electricity Prices](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/photo_2024-07-17_16-15-21-600x399.jpg)
Greece Acts to Protect Consumers amid Soaring Electricity Prices
Skylakakis outlined the government's initiatives but withheld specifics regarding the emergency tax and bill subsidies, which are slated for finalization by late July.
![Cruise Industry Opposes New EU Plan for Piraeus Port](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/396121953_881827319967534_9198009856198617419_n-1024x793-1024x793-1-1-600x465.jpg)
Cruise Industry Opposes New EU Plan for Piraeus Port
According to the Plan, cruise ship passengers will be transported by shuttle boats from Piraeus port to the Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF), so that they can then travel to Athens
![Greek State to Reopen 3.875% Bond on Wed.](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/bonds-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Greek State to Reopen 3.875% Bond on Wed.
Bond of 3.875% is set to mature on March 12, 2029
![Critical Week for Greece-Cyprus Cable](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/kalodio_elladas_cyprus_israil.jpeg)
Critical Week for Greece-Cyprus Cable
The study concluded that the social benefits of the interconnection, totaling 8 billion euros, far outweigh its 1.9 billion euros construction cost, resulting in a net social benefit exceeding 6 billion euros.
![Roberta Metsola Re-elected President of European Parliament](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2024-07-16T110250Z_1107936467_RC2BW8AZP0U4_RTRMADP_5_EU-PARLIAMENT-2048x1366-1-600x400.jpg)
Roberta Metsola Re-elected President of European Parliament
Her second term will be for a period of two and a half years
![ELSTAT: 1.5% Increase in Business Turnover in May 2024](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/epixeiriseis_2-600x414.jpg)
ELSTAT: 1.5% Increase in Business Turnover in May 2024
The most significant increase in turnover in May 2024 compared with May 2023 was recorded from the enterprises of the Accommodation and Food Service Activities, sector which grew by 14.8%.
![Cosco: Container Traffic Decline at Piraeus Port Continues](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/olp1-scaled-1-2048x1312-1-600x384.jpg)
Cosco: Container Traffic Decline at Piraeus Port Continues
This strategic shift has diminished Piraeus's standing as a prominent Mediterranean port and a key transshipment hub post-Suez Canal.
![Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/power-lines-2048x1365-1-600x400.jpg)
Gov’t Eyes Return of Power Subsidies Amid Spike in Rates
According to reports, the government will resume an electricity subsidization program, given that forecasts cite disruptions – i.e. higher rates