After turning to China and Russia to supply extra COVID-19 vaccines, Hungary became the first country in the European Union (EU) to use the Sinopharm vaccine; and, in turn, has achieved one of the EU's highest vaccination rates. 

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban has also announced on Friday he will propose to EU leaders that they approve all vaccines that have already been safely used in other regions in order to increase vaccination rates in the bloc.  

Hungary was the first EU country to order both Russian and Chinese vaccines. And in mid-February, millions of doses of the Sinopharm jab arrived in Hungary, with the first vaccines given a few days later as part of the country's vaccination program. 

The government ordered 5 million doses, with politicians regularly announcing arrival of shipments and praising the deliveries for being ahead of vaccines purchased through the EU.