COVID-19 vaccination center set up just outside ‘Dracula’ castle

Romanian health care workers have set up a COVID-19 vaccination center outside of the famous “Dracula” castle, according to an Associated Press report.

Bran Castle, famous for being the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s 19th-century classic gothic novel “Dracula,” is being used to set up vaccinations as a part of initiatives by Romania’s government to speed up the distribution of shots. 

People who show up to the castle to get a vaccine will also receive a “vaccination diploma,” which is illustrated with a fanged medical worker brandishing a syringe, according to the AP.

The marketing manager at Bran Castle, Alexandru Priscu, told the AP that the goal of this approach was to encourage more people to get vaccinated.

“Besides the diploma, people benefit with free entry to the [castle’s] torture rooms, which have 52 medieval torture instruments,” Priscu said, explaining the tourist appeal of the vaccination site. 

The move comes as Romania has recorded more than 1 million COVID-19 infections along with 29,034 deaths, according to the AP. 

The government hopes to have 5 million people vaccinated by June 1, and on Saturday the country made vaccinations appointment-free after 2 p.m.  

Bran Castle will hold “vaccination marathons” during the weekends of this month. 

The Hill has reached out to Bran Castle for comment.