Hundreds of people have flocked to Serbia after the country offered free COVID-19 vaccines to foreigners as neighboring EU countries struggle to inoculate their populations. 

People from Bosnia, Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia have made the journey to Serbia after hearing about the country's vast supply of COVID-19 vaccines.

READ MORE

Eight fruit, vegetables & herbs vs COVID-19

The missing 40 years in virus origin search

The Hungarian doctor still working at 97

Serbia has opted to acquire its own supply of vaccines following the EU's struggle to supply member states with sufficient doses after a shortfall in deliveries from AstraZeneca.

Serbia currently uses vaccines made by China's Sinopharm, Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and Russia's Sputnik V.

The deals have allowed it to notch up what the government says is Europe's second highest rate of inoculations after the UK. Official data show that more than 2.1 million people in a country of 7 million have had at least one shot and vaccinations are continuing at pace.

On Wednesday, Marko Cadez, the head of Serbia's Chamber of Commerce, said his organization had 10,000 shots for business people across the region. "We are all one region and only together we can beat this scourge," he told reporters.

The Chamber of Commerce had been authorized to secure vaccines for business people and workers, a government official who asked not to be named told Reuters.

Elma, a Bosnian who has taken advantage of Serbia's offer, said: "I came here because vaccines will never arrive in Bosnia. Eventually they will arrive but it will be too late." 

Bosnia has recorded a spike in COVID-19 cases and deaths in March, particularly in the capital Sarajevo.

Critics from across the region say Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic has been using the vaccines to strengthen his country's influence – a charge he denies.

It has been donating vaccines to Bosnia, Montenegro and North Macedonia since January.