Public Media Award for Dr. Katalin Karikó

Although it was awarded to her last December, it was only this week that Hungarian biochemist Katalin Karikó was able to receive the Public Media Person of the Year Award in person.

The Board of Trustees of the Public Media (MTVA) awarded the recognition to the Szolnok-born research biologist and biochemist as the most modern vaccine against the coronavirus epidemic was developed on the basis of her patent.

The award winner received a porcelain commemorative plaque and her portrait adorns the wall of one of the corridors of the state-run MTVA headquarters.

According to a statement by MTVA, "the aim of the award was to show the public media who are definitely worthy of recognition. Katalin Karikó has put something on the table that is extremely important not only for Hungary, but for the whole world," said.

"I am always amazed what great people my name is mentioned along with. It's nice to be recognized, but what touches me the most are the letters from people describing what the vaccine means to them," Katalin Karikó said.