By Cristina Roca 
 

Greece will impose a monthly fine on citizens over the age of 60 who don't get vaccinated against the coronavirus, in a bid to stem the spread and effects of the pandemic and protect vulnerable people as the holidays near and a new variant begins to spread.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Tuesday that vaccination against the coronavirus will from now on be mandatory for the over-60 group.

Citizens above the age of 60 should have booked an appointment to get their first dose by Jan. 16. If they fail to do so, they will face a monthly fine of 100 euros ($112.94), he said.

"This is a decision that I have struggled with on a personal level. However, I felt the responsibility to stand beside those who are most vulnerable was greater," Mr. Mitsotakis said.

There are 580,000 unvaccinated citizens above the age of 60 in Greece, he said.

Mr. Mitsotakis seemed unwilling to follow the footsteps of other European countries, such as Austria, which have imposed broader lockdown measures.

"Vaccinations, many tests, enforcement of the vaccination certificate and many self-protection measures--this is the answer and not a lockdown," Mr. Mitsotakis said.

Write to Cristina Roca at cristina.roca@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 30, 2021 06:41 ET (11:41 GMT)