A first batch of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in North Macedonia in February, after the country reached an agreement with the company on Wednesday. Quantities will be known in the coming weeks, whereas the next Pfizer shipments will arrive in the course of March and April.
According to the Ministry of Health, talks are also underway with EU member-states, while the distribution schedule of the first quantities secured through the COVAX Facility is expected soon.
In addition, vaccine coolers are expected in January, making the Macedonian health system fully prepared for the vaccination process.
“Pfizer’s vaccine is the only vaccine that has been approved by the U.S. and European regulatory agencies, FDA and EMA respectively, the only vaccine that has gone through a number of strict controlling mechanisms of these authorities,” Health Minister Venko Filipche told Wednesday’s Q&A session in Parliament.
He added that several months ago he was offered the “Sputnik 5” vaccine by Russian Ambassador Sergei Bazdnikin, but the jab was in phase III trials at the time and the process guaranteeing its safety was still not completed.
“This process is now finished and the vaccine is now incorporated in one of the COVAX Facility sections – not as fully approved. But Sputnik 5 will obviously be part of the official group of all manufacturers that are set to arrive through COVAX,” Filipche said.
Speaking about the COVID-19 epidemic, the Health Minister noted it was slowing down in the country and the Government’s restrictive measures have produced results.
That the epidemic is subsiding confirms Wednesday’s COVID-19 daily report by the Health Ministry. Out of 2,366 COVID-19 tests carried out in in the previous 24 hours, North Macedonia registered on Wednesday 493 new cases. 450 patients recovered and 15 died. Most of the new cases were registered in Skopje-210.
Since the onset of the epidemic, North Macedonia has registered 82,794 confirmed coronavirus cases, while 60,706 patients have recovered.
The death toll has reached 2,488.
At the moment, there are 19,600 active cases across the country, of which 11,373 are in the capital Skopje.
A total of 399,163 COVID-19 tests have been conducted so far in the country.
The total number of patients treated at infectious disease departments in Skopje and across the country stands at 971. The number of available beds in COVID centers is 400.
The number of patients treated in COVID centers across the country stands at 580, according to the Ministry of Health. The total of COVID-19 patients in Skopje infectious disease units stands at 391.
Although the epidemic is subsiding, the Government still warns citizens to celebrate responsibly and observe anti-coronavirus precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Government on Wednesday sent New Year’s and Christmas greetings, urging all citizens to observe restrictions and recommendations in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the holidays.
It reminds citizens that between December 18-20, working hours of bars and restaurants are shortened to 6 pm. A ban is also in place in terms of organizing New Year’s celebrations both outdoors and indoors. In addition, there is a ban on gatherings and groups of more than four people in public areas.
Every citizen, the Government underlines, must wear protective equipment to cover the mouth and nose when leaving their home, i.e. when moving in public places and areas of open and closed type, in markets, in public transport and when entering closed spaces where many people gather. Clear recommendations remain in place for religious communities not to call for mass gatherings during the upcoming religious holidays.
“In line with recommendations, we urge citizens to refrain from movement in public areas after 6 pm unless necessary in order to avoid risk of large groups of people being formed. When celebrating the holidays at home and with families, recommendations are in place requiring not to have more than four people as guests,” says the Government.
In addition, the Government notes that violation of mandatory measures, rules, restrictions and protocols for the prevention and protection against the coronavirus is to be penalized as threat to people’s life and health, urging people to act and celebrate responsibly, thus also show respect and gratitude to COVID-19 frontline workers.
After a meeting on Wednesday, leaders of churches and religious communities in the country and head of the committee for relations with religious communities and groups, Darijan Sotirovski, also urged citizens to observe measures and celebrate responsibly during the New Year and Christmas holidays.
In addition to Sotirovski, Wednesday’s meeting included Archibishop of Ohrid and Macedonia HH Stefan, Islamic Religious Community head Reis Ul Ulema Shakir Fetahu, Bishop of Skopje and Eparch of Strumica and Skopje Monsignor Kiro Stojanov and Superintendent of the United Methodist Church Marjan Dimov. Jewish Religious Community President Berta Romano Nikolikj was absent due to objective reasons, reads a committee’s press release.
“Let’s celebrate responsibly, in the circle of our families, and avoid gatherings, except when necessary, but consistently observing the obligation to keep physical distance and wear a protective mask,” religious leaders urged.
