[ad_1]
President Klaus Iohannis announced that, in the happiest scenario, the first doses of the anti-COVID vaccine will arrive in Romania in the first half of next year. The first to be vaccinated are healthcare workers and vulnerable people, Iohannis said. The statement was made after a meeting with representatives of the health system in which the measures for the management of the COVID-19 epidemic were discussed.
„The epidemiological situation in all European states is deteriorating rapidly and the population is exposed to a significant risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2. In this context, we all have high hopes for the development of a safe and effective COVID vaccine as soon as possible, and international efforts confirm everyone’s desire to have this vaccine. Romania is part of the collaboration for the supply vaccinethe european level ”, to said Johannis.
The president specified that Romania is part of the agreements signed by the European Commission for a vaccine against the new coronavirus, when it will be available. Romania will benefit from 10 million doses of vaccine.
Due to high demand, all countries will receive the vaccine in installments.
“When the vaccine is available, all Member States will receive the first tranche quota. The first to be vaccinated will be workers in the medical system, but also people in risk groups.
Vaccination of the entire population will begin as soon as possible, this should be very clear in the spring. At the same time, we want to ensure that the vaccines used have the highest level of efficacy and safety and that all international regulations are respected. “ said the president.
Iohannis said that Romania must be prepared to be able to vaccinate the population.
„We must be prepared and that is why today we call a meeting with the Minister of Health and with experts in the field of vaccinology. We assess the state of preparations in Romania and discuss the search for the most efficient solutions for action at the level of the entire health system, from the family doctor to the hospital level.
At the same time, to properly inform the population and combat misinformation, a clear, transparent and efficient communication process is absolutely necessary.“, he said.
„The Minister of Health presented to me in detail the anti-COVID vaccination strategy in Romania, the vaccine platforms, the legal framework, the way in which the national program and the vaccination stages will be organized and function, as well as the storage network and distribution. All these aspects are very important and are also being analyzed at the European level, because the new vaccine requires special transport and storage conditions.
Being a matter of utmost importance, I call on medical personnel at all levels to prepare and report correctly for this vaccination process. Vaccination centers must be well established and family doctors must be well trainedIohannis said.
„We ask the Minister of Health to identify the human resources necessary for each stage of vaccination and establish a plan to ensure the stocks of materials that will be necessary. We also discuss logistics issues related to storage and distribution, but also about the development of mechanisms for active surveillance of all elements related to the vaccination process.Added.
The president appealed again to Romanians to respect all protection measures, until a vaccine is available – use of mask, hand hygiene, physical distance, avoid congestion, work remotely, when possible
„There are things that are in our power and, for now, the only methods that can contribute decisively to the control of the pandemic.Iohannis said.
„We do not want to vaccinate anyone by force, but it is recommended. The European Commission will buy these types of vaccines that are safe and effective, which will guarantee that we will not get sick, ”he added, answering a question from journalists.
The meeting at the Cotroceni Palace was attended by the Minister of Health, Nelu Tătaru, the Secretary of State Raed Arafat and Alexandru Rafila, Romania’s representative to the WHO and PSD candidate in the parliamentary elections.
Last week, the president also held talks with the Minister of Health, but also with specialists in charge of the Intensive Care Units.
Publisher: RK
