More than 1,000 VMU employees received the first COVID-19 vaccine

“After the Government agrees that all employees of higher education institutions will be able to be vaccinated as a matter of priority, the leaders of the city of Kaunas should be congratulated for their high efficiency and attention. I would say that it is symbolic that they are vaccinating us with a vaccine developed by the University of Oxford and pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca: it shows the community and trust in science. Vytautas Magnus University supports and appreciates the contribution of one of the most famous universities and the importance of this vaccine. I don’t have any doubts that vaccination, awareness and concentration of people will accelerate the return to the desired reality of all and will allow to promote live communication again ”, said the Rector of Vytautas Magnus University, Prof. Juozas Augutis.

Speaking about the AstraZeneca vaccine and the waves of mistrust that have emerged in society, Vytautas University historian and professor Magnus Egidijus Aleksandravičius drew attention to the exemplary position of Vytautas Magnus University. “It is important that when chaos arises due to rumors, educated people, the university does not accompany psychosis and panic. The vaccine developed by the University of Oxford is suitable for the face of the university. I am happy with the decision and the position of Vytautas Magnus University. You have to react calmly to panic and not infect them yourself ”, urged prof. E. Aleksandravičius.

The initiative did not go unnoticed

“Last week in Kaunas most of the high school graduates and senior teachers who accepted the AstraZeneca vaccine were vaccinated. Now it is the turn of the academic community. We are constantly preparing in advance for future priorities. On this occasion, during the “homework”, the initiative was demonstrated by the university representatives themselves, who promptly delivered the lists of those who want to be vaccinated. All this allows the vaccination process to continue efficiently and without stops. Outstanding figures Scientists have shown a strong determination to vaccinate. I think that step will help strengthen the message in society that today a vaccine is the most effective way to ensure the safety of Kaunas residents and people across the country, “he said. Paulius Keras, Head of the Emergency Operations Center of the Kaunas City Municipality.

Dean of the Faculty of Arts of VMU prof. Jurgita Staniškytė appreciated the efforts made and the organization of the work. “As far as I know, colleagues from universities in other cities have not yet received invitations to get vaccinated against COVID-19. It is gratifying that the Vytautas Magnus University paid special attention to this, prepared in advance, and the Kaunas City Municipality responded very quickly. In general, I would like to praise the excellent organization of the work: mainly in Lithuania, Kaunas is vaccinated. I believe that the decision to vaccinate the population in a centralized way, use the facilities of the Ice Arena, digitize the processes and involve a large number of volunteers, is paying off ”, said prof. J. Staniškytė.