Veryga spoke about what awaits us in autumn: now is the critical point

MPs spoke about it on Monday on the “Delphi Topic” program.

“The epidemiological situation dictates that we can live much more freely at the moment: the number of new diseases is decreasing significantly and rapidly. The number of hospitalizations is also decreasing. Apparently, both the climatic conditions are doing their part and the vaccination rate, of which Lithuania can be really proud.

I think that all these conditions today allow us to live with much more freedom, but they do not allow us to relax completely, we must be vigilant, prepare for that autumn-winter season, get vaccinated as quickly as we have done so far, “he said. J. Sejonienė.

According to her, the population must understand the need to maintain epidemiological surveillance: keep distances, wear masks when necessary.

“As the example of other countries has shown, those who relaxed too quickly, even after successful vaccination or other epidemiological control measures, have deteriorated rapidly. We can rejoice, we can relax, allow ourselves to live more freely, but we must remain vigilant. and necessarily be vaccinated ”, emphasized the deputy of the Seimas.

The government does not hide the fact that June may be the last month of the quarantine regime. As noted by A. Veryga, this state is important for technical details.

“The government will decide if quarantine is needed or if an emergency at the state level is sufficient to handle certain processes: compensation, medical working conditions and the like,” said the former Minister of Health.

Encourages the search for new ways to promote vaccination

Both interlocutors of the program spoke about the importance of the government finding new ways to encourage it.

“Much has been done, but much remains to be done. It is important to vaccinate the elderly. It is possible to receive various criticisms here, but I personally justify several actions that require vaccination not only of the younger population, but also of the older population. ”Said J. Sejonienė.

The cause, according to A. Veryga, is that slightly more than half of the elderly population is vaccinated.

“What worries me the most and what the experts say is the vaccination of the elderly. Although we are pleased that Lithuania is among the leading countries in terms of overall vaccination rates, if you look at the EU countries, but if you look at the group with the highest number of deaths: 80+, just over 50 %. they have been vaccinated there. population, “said the parliamentarian.

J. Sejonienė agreed with A. Veryga and pointed out that the clergy could be used in this matter.

“The clergy are very good, in fact older people believe and trust, let’s just keep in mind that now a large proportion of older people may be avoiding coming to the house of prayer, perhaps doing the right thing by keeping watch. We need to make use of all that is a pattern of behavior that can be encouraged, ”said A. Veryga.

“Today we learned about the start of vaccination for children and adolescents, but we have not yet done a very serious job, we have not vaccinated the most vulnerable,” he emphasized.

For his part, J. Sejonienė also pointed out that it is necessary to promote vaccination not only for the elderly, but also for the younger population, which, as the second wave of COVID-19 has shown, is also seriously ill.

“We need more and more incentives and reasons why they should come and get vaccinated.” I would not overestimate the release of vaccines itself, I think the situation is similar or even worse in other EU countries and around the world, but new measures need to be devised to encourage vaccination, both social campaigns and people’s participation known. “Said the politician.

Getting ready for fall

The Minister of Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė had said that the passport of opportunity could be “disconnected” along with the quarantine and stored for the autumn, if necessary. However, according to J. Sejonienė, it should be well evaluated whether this would be a good solution.

“As for the passport of opportunities, I do not know if the decision will be made to turn it off completely during the summer. I think that people first need time to get used to some tool, not rush to disconnect it. If a similar measure has to be applied again in fall, there will be a lot of public resistance, ”noted Seimas member SRK.

Summer, also underlined by Mr. Veryga, will basically be a critical time.

“This is a time when people start their holidays and reach them, whether it be health services or vaccinations, it will get more and more difficult, and this time will be critical to avoid surges in the fall and prepare for the school year. in normal. way. “, – said the former minister.

In order for children to be able to return to educational institutions in the fall, the awareness of the population is also needed, also noted A. Veryga.

“It will definitely be a great challenge for the government to prepare for the opening of the education system, because we still have problems – the children did not contact again learning before the summer.

We appeal to the conscience of residents, but this is the main key: the government will not support all people, officials or specialists in public health, ”he said.

J. Sejonienė also said that we cannot be sure that everything will work out.

“It just came to our knowledge then. It will be necessary to analyze what the epidemiological situation will be like in Lithuania and in the world at that time. (…) Everyone wants as much as possible, maybe even 100 percent. Children would go back to it. contact education in September. It is currently actively preparing whether it will be possible to do so, “said the member of Seimas.

Finally, A. Veryga also noted that it is important to remind the population about the general improvement of the state of health: physical activity, absorption of vitamins, strengthening of the body.