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Balkan Hesitancy: COVID-19 Measures and Vaccination
A brief analysis of the reasoning behind public opposition and open resistance towards public health measures in Bulgaria and Romania.
At the time of writing, the rate of complete vaccination against COVID-19 in the European Union (EU) sits at approximately 72% of all adults, while several countries in Eastern Europe have, effectively, failed at their vaccination program. The worst performing countries in the EU are Bulgaria and Romania, which have alarmingly low inoculation rates of 22% and 33%, respectively.
The low vaccination rate has resulted in the growth of COVID-19 in the form of the infamous Delta variant in both countries. Such a development has led to a skyrocketing hospitalization and death rate, alongside the reintroduction of measures aimed at preventing the spread of the virus. But why are many civilians in these countries failing to get vaccinated and properly follow public health guidelines?
The answer is largely related to the horrors of liberal market reforms following the so-called transition to “democracy” that took place around 30 years ago, as well as the various social repercussions that have emerged as a result. This includes a severe and genuine lack of trust in public officials and…
