MINSK, 12 March (BelTA) – Belarus will accelerate the delivery and speed up vaccination against COVID-19 next week. More people will get access to vaccines, Healthcare Minister Dmitry Pinevich told reporters, BelTA has learned.
“Next week [starting from 15 March] we will move to a more intensive mode of immunization - more than 90,000 people will get their first shots. About 20,000 people have already got the second jab, and another 10,000 people have got the first dose. In other words, 120,000 people will be vaccinated,” the minister said. According to him, Belarus will receive 100,000 doses of the Russian vaccine soon.
“In late March- April more people will get access to the immunization program. Initially, the program prioritized high-risk population groups, like healthcare workers, social workers, people working in the retail sector and transportation,” Dmitry Pinevich said. He explained that now priority will be given to teachers and social workers, especially those who work at nursing homes for the elderly. This vulnerable group of people must be protected first of all, the minister is convinced. “Taking into account that the vaccines (both the Russian vaccine and the Chinese one) are safe for people over 60, we will consider a possibility to vaccinate the elderly population, our grandmothers and grandfathers,” Dmitry Pinevich said.
