Dust: The numbers are alarming, we have to stop the next wave

Minister A. Dulkys, dressed in a T-shirt with the slogan “Shoulder for Freedom”, was vaccinated Monday afternoon at the Naujoji Vilnia Polyclinic.

Vaccination may be required every season

The vaccinated minister was glad to feel good and the pain did not hurt.

“Like everything in the movie,” Dulkys joked.

Dulkys told reporters that it was not yet clear how long the immunity of vaccinated people would last.

“It is very likely that there is some seasonality. I have said it myself so many times that it can be a routine in our lives. It may be the case, like all vaccines, and it will have its own cyclicality, just as the virus has its own cycle” said the minister.

100 percent. protection against the most serious complications and deaths

A. Dulkys believes that public vaccination of him and other leaders of the country will help restore public confidence in the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“It should be recognized that the rise of AstraZeneca across Europe, when both national drug control agencies and all known drug and vaccine control institutes recommended the cessation of [skiepijimą ja]it certainly did not contribute to the reputation of this vaccine.

But I think the pharmacovigilance system has worked. Still, the Ministry of Health is not an advertising agency. First of all, human security is paramount.

Every time we find more answers to the questions. Here’s a recent US study that says nearly 80 percent. This AstraZeneca vaccine is effective against almost any surprise. What’s even happier is that it’s practically 100 percent. provides protection against the most serious diseases and death. I think the most important message here is, “said the minister.

At the same time, A. Dulkys noted that even after vaccination, the rules will have to be followed.

Supplies reduced to Lithuania

The Minister also mentioned that in March, the supply of the same AstraZeneca vaccine to Lithuania was reduced by almost 40%.

“It just came to our attention then. This week, we plan to update the vaccination plan, the schedule, bringing together in one place all the knowledge that we currently have from the manufacturer.

Today we have about 40 thousand. AstraZeneca vaccines. Today more than 40,000 have to arrive. There are over 10,000 other Pfizer vaccines. “Modern” vaccines. This means that in the next week in our warehouses there will be around 90-100 thousand. vaccines, which we encourage vaccination centers to use as soon as possible. That’s why I’m here, “explained A. Dulkys.

More active vaccination also on weekends

At the same time, A. Dulkys admitted that the volume of vaccination on weekends did not satisfy him.

“Tomorrow we have a meeting with the vaccination centers of the municipalities. We are about to negotiate. We already invite you to start working on Saturdays and Sundays. We have not done it deliberately until now, because those vaccine remains, as many as they were, were processed in their entirety on weekdays. Today the situation is different and we have to start working both on Saturdays and Sundays, ”said the minister.

Until mass vaccination begins, the priorities of people to be vaccinated will also be reconsidered, such as vaccinating teachers.

“It is also being considered, because the field of education and training is a priority. However, today, what we have changed since Friday, we want to make it possible for everyone in the existing priority groups to make a final decision on AstraZeneca and thus move faster through all the priority groups, which I hope will be done ”, A. Dulkys promised.

The head of the Health Ministry said that going back to school is currently being considered not only for beginners but also for graduates.

“We are both considering how to vaccinate and looking for priorities. This is in our immediate plans. But, you know, it is not so easy to match the targets at the same time, because the main thing is the 80+, 75+, 70+ groups. [metų], because the percentage of people vaccinated in them is certainly not what we would like, only up to 30-40%. We must increase it significantly and make it possible to vaccinate these people ”, explained the minister.

Incidence is increasing again

At the same time, the Minister invited all those who have the opportunity to be vaccinated according to their priorities to do so, as the next three weeks will be a test for Lithuania.

“Morbidity is currently increasing in two-thirds of the European Union countries. The figures have started to grow in two-thirds of Lithuanian municipalities. In the Vilnius region, we returned to the development of hospitals, because it is in the Vilnius region , Marijampolė, where our sequencing studies show a tension prevalence and this is very dangerous. So the next two or three weeks are very important for us to try to stop a possible wave that has sadly carried us through other states.

Vaccination, preventive tests and our daily hygiene are the tools we have in our hands today ”, the minister did not doubt.

Get vaccinated Not all politicians would accept the AstraZeneca vaccine

A. Dulkys El Seimas did not condemn members who would not want to be vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.

“It just came to our notice then. When we decided that we had to start with the example of politicians, that we needed to get vaccinated, I asked members of the Government and Parliament to get vaccinated with the AstraZeneca vaccine. But it was just an invitation. Everyone has full right to choose, since we have changed the vaccination procedure, so that from now on everyone can choose which vaccine they want from those who are in the vaccination center ”, recalled A. Dulkys.

The minister also welcomed the idea put forward by the mayor of Vilnius municipality, Remigijus Šimašius, on the introduction of an immunity passport, although he believes that it is premature to implement it. We remind you that the Vilnius City Municipality has set out to implement the idea of ​​the Immunity Passport in the country. In this way, citizens vaccinated, sick or subjected to periodic tests for COVID-19 could provide and use services that have been closed until now, in the cultural, events, accommodation, catering, commerce, sports and communication sectors.

Vaccination was temporarily stopped

It is recalled that AstraZeneca has developed great mistrust following the formation of blood clots in some people who have been vaccinated in different countries. Due to cases of thromboembolism in vaccinated people, vaccination with the vaccine was temporarily suspended in Lithuania and other European countries last week.

On Thursday, the European Medicines Agency announced that this coronavirus vaccine is safe and effective, so it was decided to resume vaccination in Lithuania. In order to show confidence in the vaccine developed by the British and Swedish company AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, this Monday an order from the Minister of Health entered into force that places the president, the members of the Seimas and the Government in the priority of those vaccinated. .