Vaccination of children aged five to 11 against COVID-19 started on Wednesday across several European nations, including Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain and Greece.

Within a few hours of the vaccination centers opening in Greece, children started rolling up their sleeves. The age group has been experiencing high coronavirus infection rates across the continent.

At the Paidon hospital for children in Athens, thousands of appointments have been booked, with many parents rushing to bring their children to get their first jab.

"My daughter got her first jab today and we are really happy. We logged on to the website at around six in the morning to book the appointment," parent Maria Arvanitidou said. 

"Because at the schools it's crazy with all these tests that they need to enter, sometimes we are forced to keep them [the children] home if we don't have a test. This way they get the vaccine and are hoping to avoid any infection." 

The European Medicines Agency approved the Pfizer-BioNTech shot for five to 11-year-olds last month and the Greek government announced late last week that it would open the inoculation drive to younger children. 

It's the latest attempt to contain a raging pandemic and to keep schools open.

The vaccine given to children contains one-third of the adult dose and the schedule is two doses within a 21-day interval.

READ MORE

Meat and dairy firms set to increase GHG emissions

NATO members threatening Russia, says Putin

The 20 year-old who wants to clean the oceans

In cases where a child becomes ill, the second vaccine is administered after three months. Within the first few hours of the platform opening, more than 31,000 appointments were booked. 

Many of the parents heard the Greek prime minister's call and are standing by the government's decision to vaccinate their children.

"Whenever I hear from the government announcements about vaccinations, I simply know that it's the scientists who are advising them to take decisions, not alone. So I definitely agree with the government's decision to vaccinate children, that's why I will vaccinate mine," said local resident Stavros.

As vaccinations are not mandatory for this age group, some parents seem to be put off by what they read online, especially surrounding potential side effects from the jab.

But under the new rules introduced earlier this month, Greeks over the age of 60 will have to be vaccinated or face a fine of $115. Those working in the health sector will be put on leave without pay. Many argue that the latest measures are divisive and unfair.

"The government should find another way to convince us, not by imposing laws or any fines or penalties. Because anything mandatory is against human rights. They should convince us differently," said Athens resident Kalliopi Parastratidou.

At the moment, only 63 percent of Greece's 11 million population are fully vaccinated – one of the lowest vaccination rates in Europe.

With more than 1,500 deaths in the past 10 days, the question is now whether the government's latest measures keep pace with the rest of the continent and achieve herd immunity.